tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69402771090631306162024-03-21T12:00:43.061-07:00Fuel Factor Nutrition CoachingFuel Factor Nutrition Coachinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637582866021825471noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940277109063130616.post-11668339857582517602012-12-21T13:16:00.002-08:002012-12-23T13:03:09.326-08:00Reflections of 2012: A Year of Firsts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">January</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">:
I kicked off the New Year with my first official beer mile, polishing off 60
ounces of Guinness and running a mile in just a smidge under 15 minutes. As I
non-drinker, I was impressed I was still standing at the end though I did
finish a good 9 minutes behind the leader and in stride with Goofy (yeah, the
Goofy). Guess this proves I am never going to be a professional beer miler. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2oUOAbKren8Nz7fc0O_K9QICx0ffxFP1v4Izas58kzc3gJq6eBm5lG1i9BM8gucLPGSQMHjwkym_NJBEPCoBlHNsxoOaG5RTNzqucVJDsP8kIrWBKEwnC2KVbdKReULLbE9tA6nu-PgR/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2oUOAbKren8Nz7fc0O_K9QICx0ffxFP1v4Izas58kzc3gJq6eBm5lG1i9BM8gucLPGSQMHjwkym_NJBEPCoBlHNsxoOaG5RTNzqucVJDsP8kIrWBKEwnC2KVbdKReULLbE9tA6nu-PgR/s320/017.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blurry caption of me bringing up the rear of the pack with Goofy during my first NYE beer mile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">February</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">:
Joined my friend Andy in his efforts to raise money for <a href="http://www.gotyourbacknetwork.org/">Got Your Back Network</a>, a
charity I hold near to my heart having worked professionally with and being
friends of many who serve our country proud including my friend JT, a Navy
Seal, who lost his life fighting for our freedoms in August of 2011. Got Your
Back Network raises money for the families of fallen soldiers. For his 35<sup>th</sup>
birthday, Andy ran 35 miles (I ran 21 with him and our friend Mike) and
raised over $3,000 for the great cause.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszcY9SXvwDZU7xPbMmx9EVoTkRCKkSPf7suwjEUsCv3q6YFGQDJM5T2GGDaeWBn3KVafk1pGPFv_a9KLtQQDrJab-JLY5hH1ir3h1XSDlytKnMuzyWnkSWhe3HabnZN3Im6-YMR4QnVan/s1600/IMG_0910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszcY9SXvwDZU7xPbMmx9EVoTkRCKkSPf7suwjEUsCv3q6YFGQDJM5T2GGDaeWBn3KVafk1pGPFv_a9KLtQQDrJab-JLY5hH1ir3h1XSDlytKnMuzyWnkSWhe3HabnZN3Im6-YMR4QnVan/s320/IMG_0910.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having fun with the Cardiff Kook and giving back to families of fallen soldiers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">March</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">:
My running kicked into full gear in March and I successfully conquered my first
back-to-back racing feat, running <a href="http://www.sdhalfmarathon.com/">San Diego Half Marathon</a> (and finishing 4<sup>th</sup>
overall in 1:21) and 7 days later trekking up to LA for a windy version of the
<a href="http://www.lamarathon.com/">LA Marathon</a> where I finished 12<sup>th</sup> overall in 2:59. I dedicated both
races to my grandpa, who will always be a huge inspiration to me and someone I
will always try to emulate in life. He passed away just two weeks shy of his
102<sup>nd</sup> birthday and one week after I completed my back-to-back racing efforts in his honor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsiFkUpLD5XCVVgslHB-0Yf-ayPvHoUa-kWUcGi9lN962rqjYsNbNlMKtaRLi5OxnnKAJhfZ1mN3zUZIEqTQgfRF81lDlbOoXJnrR5qUgc1zWvUkMk0O4FJehSYaERM9F-kLvcqUASK0t/s1600/IMG_1075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsiFkUpLD5XCVVgslHB-0Yf-ayPvHoUa-kWUcGi9lN962rqjYsNbNlMKtaRLi5OxnnKAJhfZ1mN3zUZIEqTQgfRF81lDlbOoXJnrR5qUgc1zWvUkMk0O4FJehSYaERM9F-kLvcqUASK0t/s1600/IMG_1075.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearly 102 years of wisdom from this amazing man</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLLp9RwzYUm6NX6aGik4mGWluMOP9GE6xtpPxCz1UTMvsq_yq_h_yVjrTWKTCXwWnNWf5HnXFoocsBKQPJbNVBaLugW4Zyxp-XCR4c-NyG63mPzqOskoAtOEIrMo0mrgtDgmJZWYYgfJ0/s1600/718593-1006-0015s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLLp9RwzYUm6NX6aGik4mGWluMOP9GE6xtpPxCz1UTMvsq_yq_h_yVjrTWKTCXwWnNWf5HnXFoocsBKQPJbNVBaLugW4Zyxp-XCR4c-NyG63mPzqOskoAtOEIrMo0mrgtDgmJZWYYgfJ0/s320/718593-1006-0015s.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Striding proud towards the LA Marathon finish in honor of my Grandpa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter">
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0">
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0">
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1">
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2">
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth">
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight">
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1">
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2">
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth">
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0">
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight">
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0">
</v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas>
<v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f">
<o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit">
</o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></span></v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" style="height: 117.3pt; margin-left: 3.65pt; margin-top: 46.75pt; mso-height-percent: 0; mso-height-relative: page; mso-position-horizontal-relative: text; mso-position-horizontal: absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative: text; mso-position-vertical: absolute; mso-width-percent: 0; mso-width-relative: page; mso-wrap-distance-bottom: 0; mso-wrap-distance-left: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top: 0; mso-wrap-style: square; position: absolute; visibility: visible; width: 156.45pt; z-index: -251658240;" type="#_x0000_t75"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<v:imagedata o:title="IMG_2369" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg">
<w:wrap type="tight">
</w:wrap></v:imagedata></span></v:shape><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">April</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">:
Joined my friend Mark to watch my first playoff hockey game at the Staples
Center and while sadly it didn’t include our favorite team, the Chicago Blackhawks, it
was neat to see the eventual Stanley Cup Champions, the LA Kings, lay it on the
Vancouver Canucks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrAIEsMAG-NaGW-MrnOed7XRLQ4Ystd6a_407BFvt7TOppxu3r7-tSzQvHkLOa0K0FuHsWsKDi8v1RSyarqXAoUrSY9WAPaALiZo1duzCiaiS1N7994Jiu0ID9yUHQp5M84onf7eNShU9/s1600/IMG_2369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrAIEsMAG-NaGW-MrnOed7XRLQ4Ystd6a_407BFvt7TOppxu3r7-tSzQvHkLOa0K0FuHsWsKDi8v1RSyarqXAoUrSY9WAPaALiZo1duzCiaiS1N7994Jiu0ID9yUHQp5M84onf7eNShU9/s320/IMG_2369.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First NHL playoff game at Staples Center in LA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">May</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">:
May was a busy travel month as I trekked up to <a href="http://www.bmovanmarathon.ca/">Vancouver</a>, British Colombia for the third year in
a row to experience a brand new (gorgeous) marathon course that took us on the
ultimate tour of the city, including a 10km trek around the famous Stanley Park
seawall (picture snowcapped mountains and water on one side and large pine on
your other side). I obviously was in awe of the scenery because I was able to knock another 4 minutes off my
marathon PR, finishing in 2:52:01 good for 4<sup>th</sup> overall women on the
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One week later, I travelled to St
Pete Beach, Florida, to present on the topic of sports nutrition at my first
major <a href="http://www.sportsrd.org/">conference</a> geared towards Collegiate and Professional Sports Dietitians. I
took advantage of being on the East Coast and enjoyed a quick visit with friends in Atlanta.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4v7UEvdnnd1gSiZqmpHgAJPLiBKbD_ym4FguTWRv7ew2uqw6w_164P0SAQfLAc3I2z4tDJwHxP6WdBFgnRgc47KXK5l7McnXm56vOQIvSg95Vyy5XyQ883mV1aA-MJp0XEX69iLwrarI/s1600/runvanfav.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4v7UEvdnnd1gSiZqmpHgAJPLiBKbD_ym4FguTWRv7ew2uqw6w_164P0SAQfLAc3I2z4tDJwHxP6WdBFgnRgc47KXK5l7McnXm56vOQIvSg95Vyy5XyQ883mV1aA-MJp0XEX69iLwrarI/s320/runvanfav.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the scenery as I cruise to a new 26.2 PR in Vancouver</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3zbgZK7-vqyDhF061vdWd8w65gujUEX5rpg7W-9Q_QRK4bUR6rHLpABWdbc1CL6EikvA0yN9T4BpWLGik2sAYDJQeANVT694UmZO5LG4LkldzfO0qpTSUMqUbm7DzrHPnCjGjQLMImrX/s1600/IMG_2486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3zbgZK7-vqyDhF061vdWd8w65gujUEX5rpg7W-9Q_QRK4bUR6rHLpABWdbc1CL6EikvA0yN9T4BpWLGik2sAYDJQeANVT694UmZO5LG4LkldzfO0qpTSUMqUbm7DzrHPnCjGjQLMImrX/s320/IMG_2486.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adventuring with my friends Jono and Nick in Hot-lanta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEF6WMzF8T_WGTavZqFM7FhSVrYtHYQnBOqyNRJwM9DfVpCrN7uS6LiMJt8OFLKQ_M5y8ra863VYDK3J_Uby90HypbnBDiaTHTOtY5Pdf2Tfy34EtpNZdXwudT2-Lhyphenhypheni3Dv3RLG_xLFQg/s1600/IMG_2494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEF6WMzF8T_WGTavZqFM7FhSVrYtHYQnBOqyNRJwM9DfVpCrN7uS6LiMJt8OFLKQ_M5y8ra863VYDK3J_Uby90HypbnBDiaTHTOtY5Pdf2Tfy34EtpNZdXwudT2-Lhyphenhypheni3Dv3RLG_xLFQg/s320/IMG_2494.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out on Atlanta with my college friends Angie and Allen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpLnPu_gVNEKOeUKbj_g6syjg6t8tavMeroJNREStPH0KhHxrzdqMePU4ShKYcyyFaFaF27_iavpvdWs_kXkH25BFnIToAcP6crcspaUrOvFPP8GXSsHYo-Ki76X7_EcVUU-vzjxMQNRd/s1600/IMG_2524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpLnPu_gVNEKOeUKbj_g6syjg6t8tavMeroJNREStPH0KhHxrzdqMePU4ShKYcyyFaFaF27_iavpvdWs_kXkH25BFnIToAcP6crcspaUrOvFPP8GXSsHYo-Ki76X7_EcVUU-vzjxMQNRd/s320/IMG_2524.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captured the solar eclipse in Phoenix en route home</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">June</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">:
Am I really 36 years old? Certainly don’t feel it and I proved that by running
my fastest 13.1 miles on home turf, finishing the <a href="http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/san-diego">San Diego Rock n’ Roll Half</a>
in 1:20, good for 7<sup>th</sup> overall behind some Olympians and professional
speedsters. I also was busy at work finishing up work on my first book, The
Athlete’s Guide to Sports Supplements, which I am happy to say is slated for
release (finally) by <a href="http://www.humankinetics.com/">Human Kinetics</a> this upcoming June. I'll keep you all in the loop on the official release date.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNTQuubPFoYibn8IOwUQZlJbkB0bc6x3MWZ0istWQtTxn4PS5Dxxd-g-DS8ruGjYB1h4Gs2LrsNCxtqIhSqh0YNnFjWiafb6H3jf4W4ce4nA0s_tsTjR0V6O4swYwrnqwLz2gVrU0j7nq/s1600/720686-1082-0012s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNTQuubPFoYibn8IOwUQZlJbkB0bc6x3MWZ0istWQtTxn4PS5Dxxd-g-DS8ruGjYB1h4Gs2LrsNCxtqIhSqh0YNnFjWiafb6H3jf4W4ce4nA0s_tsTjR0V6O4swYwrnqwLz2gVrU0j7nq/s320/720686-1082-0012s.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bounding past my (younger) competition</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">July</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">:
Enjoyed celebrating wedding festivities for my longtime coach and good friend,
Paul Greer, and his beautiful bride, Callie, which kicked off with none other
than a 5k “race to the altar” and finished off with a gorgeous ceremony at
University of San Diego and reception along the marina. It honestly was the
largest congregation of “dressed-to-the-nines” runners I think I have ever
seen. Also took part in <a href="http://jogginforfrogmen.com/">Joggin' for Frogmen</a>, an event that honors soldiers lost fighting for our freedoms and raises money for the <a href="http://www.navysealfoundation.com/">Navy Seal Foundation</a> and <a href="http://www.specialops.org/">Special Operations Warrior Foundation</a>. The event has raised over $50,000 for these foundations!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVdU8y0N8MSOCbsVjbEeO4q8RD_ru-sxpIbAVZD9_5PQtCcnNlNhftLdh92WQdBO0Jg2-Xun1YkDB8xvSSqwBcbUPvqq5K54oInkc4X7rst3xLGuDWZH7ZpBVZ9uPx8rGQ1GY1Xa3LPsV/s1600/IMG_2649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVdU8y0N8MSOCbsVjbEeO4q8RD_ru-sxpIbAVZD9_5PQtCcnNlNhftLdh92WQdBO0Jg2-Xun1YkDB8xvSSqwBcbUPvqq5K54oInkc4X7rst3xLGuDWZH7ZpBVZ9uPx8rGQ1GY1Xa3LPsV/s320/IMG_2649.JPG" width="259" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My long time coach, Paul Greer, and I at his pre-wedding "Race to the Altar"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JMNdfZVQu2eclse7hFIjfBtHfrKPMS-5T8KNhyphenhyphensYIcDVanz4KlT8YJGtm0rGHv2-YkgnF5hIXyJxs46JnG8FtwcW3O6LfzHfvC394GwjiTHOpAawl9c5W5bQGeZZ7VtPi4r84E5YjE_H/s1600/IMG_2732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JMNdfZVQu2eclse7hFIjfBtHfrKPMS-5T8KNhyphenhyphensYIcDVanz4KlT8YJGtm0rGHv2-YkgnF5hIXyJxs46JnG8FtwcW3O6LfzHfvC394GwjiTHOpAawl9c5W5bQGeZZ7VtPi4r84E5YjE_H/s320/IMG_2732.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remembering our fallen brave</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIgr3SFQDWjhte4rTozvHZtDL9QD4brSsTJxsyoQQDp_P9TKdElbljdYVCiJJp3Ld86OpUvHxjuCTIfwdWgg2-K0ifucATbTHdExpTgu3TIF3ANsKODVRZ3NXGMPD4Hk7i4-mkJZsQZwI/s1600/_MG_3550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIgr3SFQDWjhte4rTozvHZtDL9QD4brSsTJxsyoQQDp_P9TKdElbljdYVCiJJp3Ld86OpUvHxjuCTIfwdWgg2-K0ifucATbTHdExpTgu3TIF3ANsKODVRZ3NXGMPD4Hk7i4-mkJZsQZwI/s320/_MG_3550.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running proud for our fallen soldiers en route to the overall win</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">August</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">:
It was back to my travelling ways as I trekked up to Edmonton, where I not only
ran my 3<sup>rd</sup> sub 3-marathon of the year but also clinched my first
overall marathon victory earning myself a nice little paycheck for the
effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Instead of relaxing like many do after a marathon, </span>I rewarded my effort by spending
several days hiking and exploring the absolutely stunning Canadian Rockies of Banff and
Yoho National Park with my brother Kevin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
And, one week later</span>, I decided to check
another “must try” race off my bucket list, joining 11 other amazing runners
and people for the infamous <a href="http://www.hoodtocoast.com/">Hood to Coast Relay</a>, which
takes runners on a 200 mile journey from the top of Mt Hood in Portland to the
cute coastal city of Seaside, Oregon. Definitely a memory that will last forever and
I am happy to report that my team, the Slug Hunters, were the fastest mixed
team to cross that finish line!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy7W-g-Tkd8-OVJYkAFQURD2qHWKFYC8JLyIoUnF0YJmlwCUF4GsWhmrQ83yxFWpGwzeZyGlcA16weG3Khq' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyvlXs6J25Kbsk5oqb6glZ6zvuWTut81wubiM-TI8NEbVoZj1Tmcjdq3AyjP2NbYrX3X95yVDeU-s0yGeeoYA9D9XVg8kmj0Xs8O5C3yzYHIvRuN-t6oyIKLaZdti8a5gMRPsDVPLFWqe/s1600/myfirstmarathonwin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyvlXs6J25Kbsk5oqb6glZ6zvuWTut81wubiM-TI8NEbVoZj1Tmcjdq3AyjP2NbYrX3X95yVDeU-s0yGeeoYA9D9XVg8kmj0Xs8O5C3yzYHIvRuN-t6oyIKLaZdti8a5gMRPsDVPLFWqe/s320/myfirstmarathonwin.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winning the Canadian Derby Edmonton Marathon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68LzgDrnZWnOeI_GUQX_DX-mUkYaeHTH86WuY5jQ00zshyY7NBLttlt-ilJdHYga4SqJMzWOqnzD_PlVo83ZSifK9rh1ZLWRkYL4ZzGUetchNKJD945B4_ERWubJT3bAvZjRPDuxpo3jn/s1600/IMG_2991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68LzgDrnZWnOeI_GUQX_DX-mUkYaeHTH86WuY5jQ00zshyY7NBLttlt-ilJdHYga4SqJMzWOqnzD_PlVo83ZSifK9rh1ZLWRkYL4ZzGUetchNKJD945B4_ERWubJT3bAvZjRPDuxpo3jn/s320/IMG_2991.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Takkakaw Falls, Yoho National Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmq1d62uvpbc5N7JAqdeUcvbCs-fIND6VEq5iVudUhh2gYClJmhq28IyTpwh9xpiOFfRUZRAsZR5IUbtas3PfJefAIOgr0L2NHj5JS3E_LLyoB8xDmqq-A0YFhMNrmwcv6wJ4u0gbZG_3b/s1600/IMG_2947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmq1d62uvpbc5N7JAqdeUcvbCs-fIND6VEq5iVudUhh2gYClJmhq28IyTpwh9xpiOFfRUZRAsZR5IUbtas3PfJefAIOgr0L2NHj5JS3E_LLyoB8xDmqq-A0YFhMNrmwcv6wJ4u0gbZG_3b/s320/IMG_2947.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Louise, Banff National Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6WMKNCKhSruH3cItkK5ZjNMK2l_vJtqXRVSkLiAWskLJTU_-DYGw-rvpksVTmsTcWu_LQBiqH2c6rrGCh6QKqPopA-xqSB4Lz59yDcRQzC4vWNuCs1yo5th7a2TKw_uf-2jipTqyIedR/s1600/IMG_3127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6WMKNCKhSruH3cItkK5ZjNMK2l_vJtqXRVSkLiAWskLJTU_-DYGw-rvpksVTmsTcWu_LQBiqH2c6rrGCh6QKqPopA-xqSB4Lz59yDcRQzC4vWNuCs1yo5th7a2TKw_uf-2jipTqyIedR/s320/IMG_3127.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Slug Hunters atop Mt Hood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">September</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">:
It was back to running-themed wedding festivities as I joined my good friends,
Lyndsey and Jon, for their Disney wedding in Orlando.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was such a neat idea to have the reception
in coordination with Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival and close the fun day with
an amazing dessert party and fireworks display.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After indulging on dessert (yeah, dietitians do indulge too), us runners
do what we do best…”run it all off”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
next day, the wedding crew hit up some of the local parks and then raced the
Tower of Terror 10 mile race where I am happy to report the bride and I swept
the top 2 spots before hitting up the thrilling rides at Universal Studios.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxtQUODFF_jVUcEHyUI-tixIkgZz0meoNpsOuHcERsGmYet6cBzpse1NzS7dxqQ6TH3cI4KFpF-RVFTGi61_DH_XITYoFmEVCtItkENhifp-3atkS5eIJ3nmPq2nClqnmyxgTgnF26TUw/s1600/IMG_3349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxtQUODFF_jVUcEHyUI-tixIkgZz0meoNpsOuHcERsGmYet6cBzpse1NzS7dxqQ6TH3cI4KFpF-RVFTGi61_DH_XITYoFmEVCtItkENhifp-3atkS5eIJ3nmPq2nClqnmyxgTgnF26TUw/s320/IMG_3349.JPG" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful bride and I at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">October</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">: The
biggest news of the year came a day after returning from Orlando, where my
boyfriend Dan & I learned we were expecting our first child, a girl, in May
of 2013.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It explained a lot of the
fatigue and nausea I was playing off as “being at the peak of marathon
training”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ha…rookie mistake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our little speedster-to-be joined me for my 4<sup>th</sup>
and final marathon of the year in Niagara Falls at 8-weeks pregnant. While the
morning sickness made for an interesting 26.2 (I puked 3 times the back-half),
I thoroughly enjoyed the journey that took runners from historic downtown
Buffalo, New York, across the Canadian border, alongside the Niagara River
which was laced with beautiful fall colors, and ultimately to a finishline
backdrop that included the scenic Horseshoe Falls with a rainbow halo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can guarantee my little girl and I were the
fastest duo out there as I finished 4<sup>th</sup> overall and while not at the
speed I had originally anticipated, apparently 3:07 is not too shabby for being
pregnant. Dan & I couldn’t be more excited to meet our little
tough-as-nails girl this spring.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2nDYH7AVuMyUFRYTnrOy8upM57h4VttOr3VehrfFWo0VA_htrwiweIz6JWpWHMcp9UozWz4xLCev3ovP6mJXdB7yCq4WT5EGVDsY2KckCLUPUGfPhO5cRTGh3aBrkDGOYw09Vmfc-Aet/s1600/312871_10152330825765193_1022885445_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2nDYH7AVuMyUFRYTnrOy8upM57h4VttOr3VehrfFWo0VA_htrwiweIz6JWpWHMcp9UozWz4xLCev3ovP6mJXdB7yCq4WT5EGVDsY2KckCLUPUGfPhO5cRTGh3aBrkDGOYw09Vmfc-Aet/s320/312871_10152330825765193_1022885445_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a girl!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVD26_PurAgLic-SXKgRY1P_0ZDiUcr5jB4Za5eC0n4JNrqmdQ9DlJy6RzmOPc4p5SEL6zgngyoTuhf0921GbIzhyphenhyphenpFRJRxck3AK8hd405rkKYWMMba-yPXjF6u2bKhS7UFrHK_blYOgd8/s1600/IMG_3518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVD26_PurAgLic-SXKgRY1P_0ZDiUcr5jB4Za5eC0n4JNrqmdQ9DlJy6RzmOPc4p5SEL6zgngyoTuhf0921GbIzhyphenhyphenpFRJRxck3AK8hd405rkKYWMMba-yPXjF6u2bKhS7UFrHK_blYOgd8/s320/IMG_3518.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Niagara Falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">November</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">:
I enjoyed closing off my third year of helping coach high school cross country at
Bishops, a private school in downtown La Jolla.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is such a pleasure working with these kids and neat to see our boys
team clinch their highest finish ever and our lone girl’s qualifier, a
freshmen, post a huge PR at the California State XC Championships in Fresno
over Thanksgiving weekend. Dan and I also had fun taking on Thanksgiving,
starting off with a "<a href="http://www.gutcheckfitness.com/">gut check</a>" 10k trail turkey trot and finishing with a full home-cooked turkey dinner for my visiting parents.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNQ85_B6AfSaZz2_IQif2G-E59YECozjG56oQlHks9NrBDD2utztmSc-q0E00iilEB5O5UgY_fmObgY6XwLhDw9eoW9jyLe_3xFi-VT3hJCtcaibXvGWkauVIkTJvHGE0MPhR8TtC_9US/s1600/311135_10152269589095193_592319349_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNQ85_B6AfSaZz2_IQif2G-E59YECozjG56oQlHks9NrBDD2utztmSc-q0E00iilEB5O5UgY_fmObgY6XwLhDw9eoW9jyLe_3xFi-VT3hJCtcaibXvGWkauVIkTJvHGE0MPhR8TtC_9US/s320/311135_10152269589095193_592319349_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying some quality time with the p's in Old Town</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">December</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">:
To cap off a brilliant year of firsts, I was recently recognized as <a href="http://www.sdtc.com/">San Diego Track Club’s</a> Runner of the Year for 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>SDTC as well as <a href="http://www.saucony.com/">Saucony</a>, with whom I have been sponsored by for 3 years now, have truly been a second family for me and I look forward to many more racing successes to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am now back in Chicago where I am enjoying
quality time with family and friends over the holiday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have so much to be thankful for this year and
am beaming about the great things to come in 2013 and beyond.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nL_pfJpaC626L76in34kBxbyqb6umYt97oTP907a3ZMUTYX-_dZOjP1dyzuDURmGVasm_eePRWhb89RXTTHzi0ZyUcPGfftrrZDhfHwpfd978xHfapumcc6Xg090KyM7sL_iNhvb8aLD/s1600/704369_10152340190840193_707856080_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nL_pfJpaC626L76in34kBxbyqb6umYt97oTP907a3ZMUTYX-_dZOjP1dyzuDURmGVasm_eePRWhb89RXTTHzi0ZyUcPGfftrrZDhfHwpfd978xHfapumcc6Xg090KyM7sL_iNhvb8aLD/s320/704369_10152340190840193_707856080_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan & I on a holiday sunset cruise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnW4xzPE-8pnL0JJ3jkTNs9-LL2NK3DMRxu6WaAho4yoVEGhgJHDqar_KyE-IJNopb7EKKh2hQrmFYFbxjeas_aHW01fh23X1sMZQm4-M-ffmVffbrr_mGBeh_AfAS81nX43Rbk_HQAYQe/s1600/532570_10152337638275193_42338931_n+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnW4xzPE-8pnL0JJ3jkTNs9-LL2NK3DMRxu6WaAho4yoVEGhgJHDqar_KyE-IJNopb7EKKh2hQrmFYFbxjeas_aHW01fh23X1sMZQm4-M-ffmVffbrr_mGBeh_AfAS81nX43Rbk_HQAYQe/s320/532570_10152337638275193_42338931_n+(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next goal? Qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Wishing you health, happiness, and lots of fun adventure
this holiday season and into the New Year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Love always,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Kim<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Fuel Factor Nutrition Coachinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637582866021825471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940277109063130616.post-28908292209656726432012-05-13T21:00:00.002-07:002012-05-15T09:37:05.018-07:00RUN VAN 2012<div style="text-align: left;">
In 2010, as fate would have it, an Icelandic volcano, whose name I have never been able to pronounce, erupted and caused air space in Europe to shut-down, ultimately flushing my <a href="http://www.virginlondonmarathon.com/">London Marathon</a> dreams and Euro-travel plans down the toilet. Stuck in Chicago (fortunately with family) not being able to fly outbound, I decided to look for another race, another city to vacation in and low and behold, <a href="http://www.bmovanmarathon.ca/">BMO Vancouver Marathon</a> was the first race to pop into radar as it conveniently fell just 2 weeks after London. And so a revised travel agenda was created. While my European bust of a vacation was a huge downer, I am a believer that things happen for a reason and in this case, the crazy random volcanic eruption lead me to what I can now honestly say is my favorite race (and I've raced A LOT) not to mention allow me to meet some amazing people and develop new friendships. So, thank you <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Iceland_volcano">Eyjafjallajökull</a> for pissing lava that fateful day back in April 2010 and directing me to Vancouver!</div>
<br />
<strong>It just keeps getting better...</strong><br />
<br />
When Run Van race organizers announced they were creating a new course for 2012, I was excited. While I love the original course, I am always game for a new adventure, especially when it entails exploring a beautiful city like Vancouver. I was beyond excited though when the announcement was made that they were shutting down the famous <a href="http://vancouver.ca/parks/parks/stanley/seawall.htm">Stanley Park seawall</a> to allow the runners to traverse its post-card beauty from miles 20-25 of the marathon. And so the training began mid-January.<br />
<br />
<strong>Training for 26.2</strong><br />
<br />
Every since making the call to shift gears from a triathlon-to-running training focus after racing the <a href="http://www.ceptiming.com/2008/misc165/08Soma-Half-AllF.txt">2008 SOMA Half Ironman Triathlon</a> less than a year removed from surgery to correct several tears in my shoulder and bicep, my heart was set on breaking the covenanted 3 hour barrier in the marathon. I just didn't know exactly how to get there having spent the better part of my post-collegiate athletic career racing triathlon. I did know that my typical 30-40 mile per week run mileage was going to need to come up and cross-training volume come down. After 3 years and 5 sub-3 efforts along with my lastest PR (more on that later), I think I have found my sweet spot. So, what is that sweet spot? For me, it entails the following:<br />
<br />
Mondays: 45 min aerobic run, 1 hr <a href="http://www.armonescoreconnection.com/2/">pilates</a><br />
Tuesdays: AM: ~8-12 miles w/20-30 min of interval training and 10x20 sec strides<br />
PM: ~30-45 min aerobic run<br />
Wednesdays: 45 min aerobic run, 1 hr functional strength training (squats, lunges, plank, plyo-drills)<br />
Thursdays: AM: 4-10 mile tempo or progression run on rolling hills, 10x20 sec strides<br />
PM: ~30-45 min aerobic run<br />
Fridays: OFF<br />
Saturdays: AM: 8-12 miles w/20-30 min of interval training and strides, PM: 30-45 min aerobic run<br />
Sundays: AM: 1:30-3 hour effort-based long runs followed by 1/2-1 mile swim<br />
<br />
I follow a 3-week build with the 4th week dropping in volume by 25% to allow adequate recovery and the training to truly soak in. In addition, I like to keep "race fresh" by jumping into several races of which I run as a slightly faster than normal tempo effort. These also serve as a great opportunity to practice race day nutrition. In prep for Run Van 2012, I ran <a href="http://www.coronado10k.com/">Coronado 10k</a> (36:39, 4th OA), <a href="http://www.sdhalfmarathon.com/">San Diego Half Marathon</a> (1:21:56, 4th OA), and <a href="http://www.lamarathon.com/">LA Marathon</a> (2:59:47, 11th OA). My marathon mileage generally fell in the 50-70 mile/week range with a peak of 75 miles 3 weeks out from race day. My marathon taper entails a ~25% reduction in training volume each week starting at my peak.<br />
<br />
In general, my mileage is lower than a lot of the athletes I compete against but, between managing and running my own business as well as taking on writing a book, it is all that I can squeeze in. I am not sure my body would gain anything from adding upon this load anyways. <br />
<br />
<strong>Arriving in Vancouver</strong><br />
<br />
Unlike last year where I flew into Seattle and then had an equally long busride from Seattle to Vancovuer, I opted for a direct flight compliments of Air Canada...so much nicer although one of these years, I think I'll try the train route from Seattle as I have heard it is a gorgeous trip. The only hiccup in my travel agenda is that I happened to arrive at perhaps one of the more popular times for weekend get-aways, leaving me standing in customs line for well over an hour before truly making my arrival. Fortunately, I was entertained in line by members of the <a href="http://www.sjearthquakes.com/">San Jose Earthquakes</a> (professional soccer for those of you who don't know) who happened to be playing the <a href="http://www.whitecapsfc.com/">Vancouver Whitecaps</a> on Saturday. Wish I would have gotten a picture! I have always been a big soccer fan, having been my #1 sport growing up. Greeting me at the gate was Frank Stebner, one of the many wonderful race volunteers, along with fellow elite athletes, one of which had spent 2 obstacle-filled travel days from Ethiopia! Yeah, guess I shouldn't have been complaining about my 1 hour wait in customs!<br />
<br />
After checking into my sweet accommodations for the weekend, <a href="http://www.coasthotels.com/hotels/canada/bc/vancouver/coast_coalharbour/overview">Coast Coal Harbour Hotel</a>, I met up with the extremely athletically decorated elite coordinator, <a href="http://www.lynnkanuka.com/">Lynn Kanuka</a>, and some of the elite athletes also competing on Sunday for dinner. It's always so cool meeting athletes from all walks of life and truly fascinating hearing about the training and racing adventures each persevered through to prepare for Vancouver. One of the female marathoners (2:32 PR, Nigerian born, now a US citizen), Mary Akor, spent several months training in Morocco leading up to the US Olympic Trials! Several of the Kenyans spend several months at a time training in various areas of the United States, Canada, and Mexico in preparation for racing. Interestingly, I was one of the few athletes who ordered pasta...guess it's just an American carbo-loading staple!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1l-TiqmBzbDlDaJ4i6rFDH263EDqNrvATBV0qly2nVg547Folo50B4zf7RKaqAPbUCorCuQDdcU_vpoG_x-HClYHviwknMEHPgnAnyv34lmRv7rirTpOMOz9sOFFPckACfXuTut2zm8A/s1600/IMG_2386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1l-TiqmBzbDlDaJ4i6rFDH263EDqNrvATBV0qly2nVg547Folo50B4zf7RKaqAPbUCorCuQDdcU_vpoG_x-HClYHviwknMEHPgnAnyv34lmRv7rirTpOMOz9sOFFPckACfXuTut2zm8A/s640/IMG_2386.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner with Run Van volunteers and fellow elite athletes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On Saturday, I did one final shake-out run, 25 minutes, along the gorgeous seawall of which I'd be racing on a mere 24 hours later. To give you an idea of the double-take scenery I have fallen in love with:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWO5PyluArof8jhp-VrwpIc40-JmccaNhtXd-93AzuOGe1hwzGS6YHyDw0IXn9ui8NXRoTA7aiyxTMrjpB-SV_OOENvbL57uonNztSCZm7pa0WBZ_gRgIZ-FPVKkJuS8C_pxP4XgQ2MaGW/s1600/IMG_2395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWO5PyluArof8jhp-VrwpIc40-JmccaNhtXd-93AzuOGe1hwzGS6YHyDw0IXn9ui8NXRoTA7aiyxTMrjpB-SV_OOENvbL57uonNztSCZm7pa0WBZ_gRgIZ-FPVKkJuS8C_pxP4XgQ2MaGW/s640/IMG_2395.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And, then it was off to the expo where a few of the marathoners, including myself, were participating in an Elite Athlete "Meet and Greet" session. After running my first beer mile to kick off 2012, I declared that this year was going to be a year of many firsts for me. And, low and behold, I got to sign other runners race bibs complete with a personal inspirational message; it's definitely a first for me to be autographing anything! I am hoping it served as a nice tune-up for my anticipated book signings later in the year.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNhtDfkOBVrHUSPeahuCuQ7TqHORS_DL06zzWuT_RaGtP0Gm_HDLJwGdP-y1KrMwFuyOaXbxkGHpJlqyYopMfZXH5IdiX8Td7qryVduby2NtkdLP0yUb7P-P77Bd-GC3vL6KQFn39C9mc/s1600/IMG_2399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNhtDfkOBVrHUSPeahuCuQ7TqHORS_DL06zzWuT_RaGtP0Gm_HDLJwGdP-y1KrMwFuyOaXbxkGHpJlqyYopMfZXH5IdiX8Td7qryVduby2NtkdLP0yUb7P-P77Bd-GC3vL6KQFn39C9mc/s1600/IMG_2399.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">26.2 athletes represent at Canada Place</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxp5AbzZDfST6V2TJ9NzzdxrV6eYfHaXK9wPI1yrNVkC96g74yu1wpr6upTaAZtuuElYY7kqcokZt9Ks8gGQkhwPpT0MDYCjzdGv_sf5S_3TdQdJA1fqFmL1R6koms6udLV_uhexJ-QHQ/s1600/IMG_2400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxp5AbzZDfST6V2TJ9NzzdxrV6eYfHaXK9wPI1yrNVkC96g74yu1wpr6upTaAZtuuElYY7kqcokZt9Ks8gGQkhwPpT0MDYCjzdGv_sf5S_3TdQdJA1fqFmL1R6koms6udLV_uhexJ-QHQ/s1600/IMG_2400.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elite Athlete Meet & Greet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMurZMBjd49GyR8LG73A1Z3KABEDYCfol3xW1HuNJrZ4B5K2Q44IdjAQ4soHTzYdYNgv1tbYK8M7nxuhxN83wb0wS-V_kKTLOGecgTQ8AbfHEUOAxQFF_8Nu5I_AQK-1hIEIhmoPnE4T-/s1600/IMG_2406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMurZMBjd49GyR8LG73A1Z3KABEDYCfol3xW1HuNJrZ4B5K2Q44IdjAQ4soHTzYdYNgv1tbYK8M7nxuhxN83wb0wS-V_kKTLOGecgTQ8AbfHEUOAxQFF_8Nu5I_AQK-1hIEIhmoPnE4T-/s640/IMG_2406.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giving 26.2 racing tips and autographing bibs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After the meet and greet, it was back to the hotel for a pre-race briefing, more carbo-chowing and chill time before hitting pillow for sweet pre-26.2 dreams.<br />
<br />
<strong>Race Day!!!</strong><br />
<div align="center">
</div>
Race morning always brings an early wake-up call and Run Van 26.2 is no different although the marathoners did get to sleep longer thanks to an hour later start than the Run Van 13.1 athletes. Hahahaha, lol. As always, I started with my ritual pre-race meal of the easy-to-digest, low-glycemic <a href="http://www.purefit.com/">Pure Fit Nutrition bar</a>, 100% juice, and Diet Mountain Dew (my pre-race caffeine). And then we were off to the race start in this cool San Francisco-like trolley:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinso7AgI1DvHoDwFUdgsGS1Bazkja5cf7_dWXLZDhsWO0t-pshIHp8uG6S12WCucdGDKPX_3Dy_CN7oPAxGWTmtezxdx5nkHs7dz00N4hzVbXUmwqw-4ezJNBMJVDiHEOgTy_VYrfhH0Y1/s1600/IMG_2411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinso7AgI1DvHoDwFUdgsGS1Bazkja5cf7_dWXLZDhsWO0t-pshIHp8uG6S12WCucdGDKPX_3Dy_CN7oPAxGWTmtezxdx5nkHs7dz00N4hzVbXUmwqw-4ezJNBMJVDiHEOgTy_VYrfhH0Y1/s640/IMG_2411.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Unlike last year, where I made the mistake of forgoing a warm-up, I ran an EASY 10 minutes in the beautiful <a href="http://vancouver.ca/parks/parks/queenelizabeth/">Queen Elizabeth Park</a> and did some ballistic movements to properly prepare my body for what was described as a "humbling" first 16 miles followed by a more forgiving back 10. As I warmed up, I kept my blood sugars and blood volume up by drinking my <a href="http://www.infinitnutrition.com/">Infinit run</a> sports drink. I also received some great racing strategy tips from my friend Greg and chatted up the infamous Vancouver Canucks MC, Mr. O'Canada <a href="http://www.markdonnelly.ca/">Mark Donnelly</a>, who was singing the National Anthem for racers that morning. I asked him how it tasted to watch the 'Hawks bring the Cup home a couple years ago...lol. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqOGWYrt8l56flpzdfiYC7rtbO3G4A62UyjhEa9hbIoFlSM1N2Zt_nD8cUH9D4f1cBYUVyYN2HKITd-eXxk3Y3tvIwJA99kuheN3HRgEorzco78won6DkUEA6Y_7HmGvEpTUReYSwfBCP/s1600/IMG_2412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqOGWYrt8l56flpzdfiYC7rtbO3G4A62UyjhEa9hbIoFlSM1N2Zt_nD8cUH9D4f1cBYUVyYN2HKITd-eXxk3Y3tvIwJA99kuheN3HRgEorzco78won6DkUEA6Y_7HmGvEpTUReYSwfBCP/s1600/IMG_2412.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks for the race-day tips Greg!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6_PQobFwQ5C_FRGKVVf0LI7bNFbl1O_fTz0tbNJlvTiBgHPg6uH1dU1suObuCB3tGuJlIHkltP56-m70HLQVhbXgT94IxZq21wH37zDd6LoKYmBAWGfxR0zTd4BsUiBv7U0TM7_yU27B/s1600/IMG_2414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6_PQobFwQ5C_FRGKVVf0LI7bNFbl1O_fTz0tbNJlvTiBgHPg6uH1dU1suObuCB3tGuJlIHkltP56-m70HLQVhbXgT94IxZq21wH37zDd6LoKYmBAWGfxR0zTd4BsUiBv7U0TM7_yU27B/s1600/IMG_2414.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. O'Canada Mark Donnelly & I temporarily holding down the peace....GO 'HAWKS!!! Dig those Blackhawk colors you are sporting!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Before I knew it, we were being shuttled down to the race start and apparently I have held onto a part of my pre-race "serious" look (think the contemplative guy in the backdrop shared my sentiment...lol): <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9d6DIR7oJokXg6RfGFH0Fg9h4bnz7NbOCyGJf223uQOPEe2TFKkYQ4khoiqRskRrLbcCVq3KU6xjVrRbWD3lDZqhz68qkMMs6rXvaT_hN7LlJm8GoOTGubNwkpWFv0OYfxYDtkNbQO4U_/s1600/runvanprerace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9d6DIR7oJokXg6RfGFH0Fg9h4bnz7NbOCyGJf223uQOPEe2TFKkYQ4khoiqRskRrLbcCVq3KU6xjVrRbWD3lDZqhz68qkMMs6rXvaT_hN7LlJm8GoOTGubNwkpWFv0OYfxYDtkNbQO4U_/s400/runvanprerace.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please let my body cooperate, please let my body cooperate, please let my body cooperate ALL 26.2 miles =)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And then I was off running with the masses, some 15,000 between the half and full marathon!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNKm8LFLVzL8ZzEZLP1iSSPi7rQFEMk3xN09R8aqDatBktWutJxjrz4t6awTviMVMNHIjOi54HfAeNcVIOWT0i7cljfQ6jikaTZCl9oW_cmKL3ERLr7ogoPAIQJOZIZSlMPi9UdNS63Ba/s1600/racestart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="411" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNKm8LFLVzL8ZzEZLP1iSSPi7rQFEMk3xN09R8aqDatBktWutJxjrz4t6awTviMVMNHIjOi54HfAeNcVIOWT0i7cljfQ6jikaTZCl9oW_cmKL3ERLr7ogoPAIQJOZIZSlMPi9UdNS63Ba/s640/racestart.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm cresting the hill in the backdrop...can you spot my pink?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
As I was warned, the first 16 miles or so brought some significant climbs, including nearly a mile up an outer Torrey Pines-esque grade around mile 5 (for my non-Cali friends, come experience Torrey Pines as part of the La Jolla Half Marathon for some hill love). Fortunately, I had prepared with several runs up Mount Soledad (3.5 miles up), some hilly trail runs, and a hilly 26.2 at LA Marathon in training so I felt solid throughout it all. I honestly had a smile on my face the bulk of the race as evidenced in my race pictures:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtyPJLM0xyIAgW2huT3fPWx82i411-5lrRjyvMdRzXCqsFqg4i0U12bmEt1sK2jNRLGwl_EYsfOS7WDSUtu7cVjMJrBrFpE5fCDKVjzikFC-hhW5Gf2QnXGudwlIaUAJpa_8ryJeGr7IQ/s1600/runvanfav.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtyPJLM0xyIAgW2huT3fPWx82i411-5lrRjyvMdRzXCqsFqg4i0U12bmEt1sK2jNRLGwl_EYsfOS7WDSUtu7cVjMJrBrFpE5fCDKVjzikFC-hhW5Gf2QnXGudwlIaUAJpa_8ryJeGr7IQ/s640/runvanfav.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Midway thru LOVING the scenery, sporting my stereotypical "rock on" hand signal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGyOeAx86JUQA6PyIoRH3OTO_5MuWg0g_epPjMj6M1HWB4vGlOilKv8C-hUKqcHAEfR79ui3s9rzWusoJnJSxjTwkV08k6TIEapz7cU6RoooogXn8J6uMRI__z6d-UV4LRBR04BV2lQpG/s1600/runvanhappy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGyOeAx86JUQA6PyIoRH3OTO_5MuWg0g_epPjMj6M1HWB4vGlOilKv8C-hUKqcHAEfR79ui3s9rzWusoJnJSxjTwkV08k6TIEapz7cU6RoooogXn8J6uMRI__z6d-UV4LRBR04BV2lQpG/s640/runvanhappy.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A smile speaks a thousand words...enjoying the scene around <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitsilano">Kitsilano</a>, some 18 miles into the race</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6E6hHv6MTgFY0k0pog7M9t3xXDI2zqh4KDkMZ-PZJDS41IoA9X9KRg36l8UfS0LVF-dXjqsBnv9VPjS3BzBiWDbthyphenhyphenlt8uDxOfHJCMwEruDqB2Ys92pQoctYSN1Ye1M_FGu0qIG8SCtD/s1600/RUNVANburrard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6E6hHv6MTgFY0k0pog7M9t3xXDI2zqh4KDkMZ-PZJDS41IoA9X9KRg36l8UfS0LVF-dXjqsBnv9VPjS3BzBiWDbthyphenhyphenlt8uDxOfHJCMwEruDqB2Ys92pQoctYSN1Ye1M_FGu0qIG8SCtD/s640/RUNVANburrard.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOVING the Run Van spectators at mile 20</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQavRP78C-xtXXVgfUQ98OeZr_Xv4PND7O6VBZPLkA5MkB7nF8GbSrRuXo5r53DaJQwficHfOsgbZ2TGoCh3mBZU70AGNjhEkAUXBFTKHn9EEUzbL1Zdwl1Mx39b6dn5z89KaHH0MFJzD/s1600/runvanburrard2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQavRP78C-xtXXVgfUQ98OeZr_Xv4PND7O6VBZPLkA5MkB7nF8GbSrRuXo5r53DaJQwficHfOsgbZ2TGoCh3mBZU70AGNjhEkAUXBFTKHn9EEUzbL1Zdwl1Mx39b6dn5z89KaHH0MFJzD/s640/runvanburrard2.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You give a little energy, a WHOLE LOT more will be returned. Thanks Run Van spectators!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3as09d-N8oga9GVjdwgvjX_CqdVRvevhavmZy_0sGied3sS6PXrz5ZNHY0j4qO0kMcMuC7UysV7PlePSSGVE3OSOqS5HtHMnonBNg-DWemwQieNQ9xxGS1TKUHDUPPaTRRlqCj2JGSs1P/s1600/runvaninukchuk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3as09d-N8oga9GVjdwgvjX_CqdVRvevhavmZy_0sGied3sS6PXrz5ZNHY0j4qO0kMcMuC7UysV7PlePSSGVE3OSOqS5HtHMnonBNg-DWemwQieNQ9xxGS1TKUHDUPPaTRRlqCj2JGSs1P/s640/runvaninukchuk.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still smiling at mile 21 as I pass the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inuksuk">Inukshuk</a>, a symbol of the human spirit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittvKa2VFGxc5gQssbNQT23ccqSVCfvOSRTaF0qJ_p1IFFGMMkIShFKCqPi3oKA1cg8l7yf4wFQkXiGRt4CGDm1XaF8bhwD8aOyN6feCHDG7oalXavzuhXQ4sE_ozP88qkAdBLfuu-psYt/s1600/runvanseawall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittvKa2VFGxc5gQssbNQT23ccqSVCfvOSRTaF0qJ_p1IFFGMMkIShFKCqPi3oKA1cg8l7yf4wFQkXiGRt4CGDm1XaF8bhwD8aOyN6feCHDG7oalXavzuhXQ4sE_ozP88qkAdBLfuu-psYt/s400/runvanseawall.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And still smiling with a thumbs up as I round the famous Stanley Park Seawall 22 miles into the race</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1EddnxFyUxhwh8k0zbBFjfxO2EZ5TqiiWrXzLFLHtGerxnN6zIzEBM1zsl7e_H0pXMlGMIisGLVo0mJOBuB4Fo3mz30kHIDz5rWap3yooL2Jh81v1dbEmP8shsLuNqDKKBBVOoXRQv-4/s1600/7005031424_86f97b18a9_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1EddnxFyUxhwh8k0zbBFjfxO2EZ5TqiiWrXzLFLHtGerxnN6zIzEBM1zsl7e_H0pXMlGMIisGLVo0mJOBuB4Fo3mz30kHIDz5rWap3yooL2Jh81v1dbEmP8shsLuNqDKKBBVOoXRQv-4/s640/7005031424_86f97b18a9_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just to capture the extent of how flippin' beautiful this course is. We ran under Lions Gate Bridge around mile 23<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9BvxodEUbOGFsDNDfxY3bJL_A0ZmJkxZPbVyt2l6nlZKdPIgfSThvyN_4ltem6rKc_uD0qj0St5tfFj3SBk9fjkmjXVxaZYZbols-qcBgfRZsukLHFchN2R9J8Lo7_19sIFxeWlxkRD2/s1600/7005030244_109f47ee3e_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9BvxodEUbOGFsDNDfxY3bJL_A0ZmJkxZPbVyt2l6nlZKdPIgfSThvyN_4ltem6rKc_uD0qj0St5tfFj3SBk9fjkmjXVxaZYZbols-qcBgfRZsukLHFchN2R9J8Lo7_19sIFxeWlxkRD2/s640/7005030244_109f47ee3e_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then ran through this lighthouse...so cool!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2cK6rge9HrcZeLnk-74NB8erelqCur6NVqgezDgRVqkmrwi2Zvs7IUde6YGn8AIK__mML_zumDRYHtgrZgEIbn8Zf11MmFEPw3jMu6yBGOjl3rG6MShp9K8rtfF5ytMb3cJxMwueQ1II/s1600/runvanlighthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2cK6rge9HrcZeLnk-74NB8erelqCur6NVqgezDgRVqkmrwi2Zvs7IUde6YGn8AIK__mML_zumDRYHtgrZgEIbn8Zf11MmFEPw3jMu6yBGOjl3rG6MShp9K8rtfF5ytMb3cJxMwueQ1II/s640/runvanlighthouse.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another thumbs up as I roll pass the lighthouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaUgBUQo-a_-LTGkCP-4cI08KA9LI_vt35bUZLpVudq5vrMtDrpvuiOH5KmbJXEMALk6HokJsECbPIuU2NEQEDV1tjU27ZF0uqF6sZrAfrdR0mVhbDvGDVBKBWdg_6vjaivT08hROTaHj/s1600/runvanseawallfinish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaUgBUQo-a_-LTGkCP-4cI08KA9LI_vt35bUZLpVudq5vrMtDrpvuiOH5KmbJXEMALk6HokJsECbPIuU2NEQEDV1tjU27ZF0uqF6sZrAfrdR0mVhbDvGDVBKBWdg_6vjaivT08hROTaHj/s640/runvanseawallfinish.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming off the seawall, only 1 gradual uphill mile to go!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVkYOLPUztmLI6gJanxsxlxOP6CjGnIebzQmuecECREEORUvgKymX9Lk14HVwZENXZRFxUP1_g4upc09xoOKpVF1G1oxUQT1LQoInCmaqSoLst1tAzr6C33eJDvI2OqZD5vqmZemoOhzQ/s1600/runvanfinishline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVkYOLPUztmLI6gJanxsxlxOP6CjGnIebzQmuecECREEORUvgKymX9Lk14HVwZENXZRFxUP1_g4upc09xoOKpVF1G1oxUQT1LQoInCmaqSoLst1tAzr6C33eJDvI2OqZD5vqmZemoOhzQ/s640/runvanfinishline.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marathon FINISH!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHF7pUzig5wMx2y6ZzdPjx1rLNCJNadTQPPzTvO4VCce-XaxpPMA1sIF3bcGEsFEXka_68ExDA21uUSlipxVLrZhCy03yD0jtGAw2Un5Jy1u5Xae4zUXjby0dCYKcPwWkj6mH9YrDBbu8/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHF7pUzig5wMx2y6ZzdPjx1rLNCJNadTQPPzTvO4VCce-XaxpPMA1sIF3bcGEsFEXka_68ExDA21uUSlipxVLrZhCy03yD0jtGAw2Un5Jy1u5Xae4zUXjby0dCYKcPwWkj6mH9YrDBbu8/s640/photo.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Officially 2:53:35, 4th OA lady, 41st OA runner to cross that finishline.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When you go into a race as the 8th fastest marathon time and you finish 4th OA with a new PR, it's a good day. Plus, my pacing was the best its been in a marathon as my splits were pretty even on both sides (1:25:24, 1:26:20). It became even better when it was announced that the course was about 500 meters long due to a goof-up on cone placement at the midway point of the race. Converted time is 2:51:44 (6:33 per mile pace). Previous PR: 2:56:08 (6:43 per mile pace). How sweet it is!<br />
<br />
<strong>Post Race Festivities</strong><br />
<br />
Immediately after finishing, I was whisked off to the elite tent where I congratulated other athletes and talked to race organizers. As I have every year running in Vancouver, I met some amazing people that I'm excited to keep in touch with and cross paths with again at forthcoming races. Just 85 seconds ahead of me was Catrin Jones, a Canadian runner with a 2:48 marathon PR. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphlAY4liAJfxlV8O0c5NJq2CI7jRKJQaAUjU8O5bcSNr8pgAxOGkRtEMcRbIFtfBkUnuLSpsvGeVKri7tdCFh1A29pEpS0ZCHol_uj-Hk_t-9lsIj_3FtqceDml6_90rCtSSX-35ugVWh/s1600/IMG_2415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphlAY4liAJfxlV8O0c5NJq2CI7jRKJQaAUjU8O5bcSNr8pgAxOGkRtEMcRbIFtfBkUnuLSpsvGeVKri7tdCFh1A29pEpS0ZCHol_uj-Hk_t-9lsIj_3FtqceDml6_90rCtSSX-35ugVWh/s640/IMG_2415.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catrin Jones (#3) & I (#4) all smiles post-race</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And then it was off to the award's ceremony to celebrate everyone's accomplishments on the day.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAo3bwT0tdchZACLHPnhAzMtV0mRBldOLi7xHhSRmWIbFy8TlKvAt0qJaNJysuoTTiT4lUx57SXm0QeWzcilB5nLk5Ih60hpgRnIWbsGKL8heMO6HG4jrUJvgBPeoetfuYBhmuPgFRtys/s1600/IMG_2420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAo3bwT0tdchZACLHPnhAzMtV0mRBldOLi7xHhSRmWIbFy8TlKvAt0qJaNJysuoTTiT4lUx57SXm0QeWzcilB5nLk5Ih60hpgRnIWbsGKL8heMO6HG4jrUJvgBPeoetfuYBhmuPgFRtys/s640/IMG_2420.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Run Van makes us happy! <span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Gezahgn Eshetu from Ethiopia (kneeling) won the men's marathon in 2:21.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIx3WxoTKyIyISifsDDTfTFxLCUTpG3hyphenhyphen6yVV8aIwwGIjnBvtI7hyphenhyphenIJmxn1uK4OeQ8sc4v4KFPntUUmi9Qib9403lkE9WoUkt7rmrL4mrHplefQUDedvVY7MVYEhXDPxUN4wQU73V-CNh9/s1600/IMG_2422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIx3WxoTKyIyISifsDDTfTFxLCUTpG3hyphenhyphen6yVV8aIwwGIjnBvtI7hyphenhyphenIJmxn1uK4OeQ8sc4v4KFPntUUmi9Qib9403lkE9WoUkt7rmrL4mrHplefQUDedvVY7MVYEhXDPxUN4wQU73V-CNh9/s640/IMG_2422.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Women's Top 3: Mary Akor (Left, 2nd OA, 26.2 PR of 2:32) ran 2:46, Ellie Greenwood (center, 1st OA) is an ultra-marathon bad arse who also PRd on the day with a 2:42, and Catrin Jones (right, 3rd OA, 26.2 PR of 2:48) ran 2:52. Nice work ladies!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwhqegjT-mJ6jlWod7DseTgxTe39n3orKjwqsqFMSJ49V2sdMoH-O9AuIpf9PZOGxN4qW0fOdUUdmBvQoVKArFlfpIGayixgTluO1urFnKsg1XI0O2UPkXCxq5E2zHSbncARz0xu2PezM/s1600/IMG_2425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwhqegjT-mJ6jlWod7DseTgxTe39n3orKjwqsqFMSJ49V2sdMoH-O9AuIpf9PZOGxN4qW0fOdUUdmBvQoVKArFlfpIGayixgTluO1urFnKsg1XI0O2UPkXCxq5E2zHSbncARz0xu2PezM/s640/IMG_2425.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being recognized as 4th OA lady</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After the awards, I took inspiration from women's ultra-marathon star and women's winner, <a href="http://elliegreenwood.blogspot.com/">Ellie Greenwood</a>, and stayed on my feet for another 3-4 miles to explore the wonderful sights of Vancouver.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFsyD1tXTrA9Q-0uo-q6Pfq6CKkgnOwh0QaT-AMuzm7VtAHABxmAQOJmRYuGP4dIR5oY-AuxbB7jKwV3oe0lpa1iQGeLCPOaPCQso6eGy6VYAiBSvC0CG_FBHMaPMQX8F-s9oUMeq4DUm/s1600/IMG_2435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFsyD1tXTrA9Q-0uo-q6Pfq6CKkgnOwh0QaT-AMuzm7VtAHABxmAQOJmRYuGP4dIR5oY-AuxbB7jKwV3oe0lpa1iQGeLCPOaPCQso6eGy6VYAiBSvC0CG_FBHMaPMQX8F-s9oUMeq4DUm/s640/IMG_2435.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunning, eh?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And then it was back to meet up with the crew for a night out on Vancouver! <span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Gezahgn was kind to bring Lynn (the elite coordinator) traditional Ethiopian apparel to party in.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61z5HMC1lUdt_qbi1kLOcNIhF-wp6ub7-RNQsgmhB8yj_U3Qo9rKbAwByK-Ih7BhiyYpo7V77eqbUeT4nPZdnSiv9z7_LqaqYruTAorfeXSAkYnCLXoOP2G7OskuoE3v3bwJt4Xt_AQ5n/s1600/IMG_2443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61z5HMC1lUdt_qbi1kLOcNIhF-wp6ub7-RNQsgmhB8yj_U3Qo9rKbAwByK-Ih7BhiyYpo7V77eqbUeT4nPZdnSiv9z7_LqaqYruTAorfeXSAkYnCLXoOP2G7OskuoE3v3bwJt4Xt_AQ5n/s640/IMG_2443.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lynn sporting traditional Ethiopian apparel for the special night out. Thanks for all your hard work in making Run Van a special one for all of us athletes!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84eqaE5sIeAirsyPm8NUyiGSCeG22I14ZVFa1C-iE4cFqwJAU6VtEWZmTNMj6MHkKP2slhd_rGp4sTDV3X74cYdffykBOMW_j50NGXVRirpm87nME8Y9uhrWP04NVvhsrtwErBb16KrtJ/s1600/IMG_2445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84eqaE5sIeAirsyPm8NUyiGSCeG22I14ZVFa1C-iE4cFqwJAU6VtEWZmTNMj6MHkKP2slhd_rGp4sTDV3X74cYdffykBOMW_j50NGXVRirpm87nME8Y9uhrWP04NVvhsrtwErBb16KrtJ/s1600/IMG_2445.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Run Van crew</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYVal9JZIIUtmt2Ur2kx9Spu8kyVW4s79SDlo6buqIoP_m6lNXe6WP_imYkrcICuJePcs0HUmqyZjCS8r4fDTM4UG_k2tvogKYwB_Tdt8cj7MSJEebwtzz5KXYDuwbDDtccrOZIOVlDvi/s1600/tastypostraceburgerrunvan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYVal9JZIIUtmt2Ur2kx9Spu8kyVW4s79SDlo6buqIoP_m6lNXe6WP_imYkrcICuJePcs0HUmqyZjCS8r4fDTM4UG_k2tvogKYwB_Tdt8cj7MSJEebwtzz5KXYDuwbDDtccrOZIOVlDvi/s640/tastypostraceburgerrunvan.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post Marathon Recovery Cheers: That is a TASTY burger (and sweet potato fries & local brew)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-k0e7zKTOdSbVK2sphFTlFlYm0RczvwZy1UdJu-C1Cy8rru0JHAh6ikNLbx551TY4M1D8tp8n60E11LZP3v9z2AG0l9SZOSFEJlqWPeZkZxO6GQB6bCTaxgzFt-yRnT42QspfUeOYgbxI/s1600/IMG_2454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-k0e7zKTOdSbVK2sphFTlFlYm0RczvwZy1UdJu-C1Cy8rru0JHAh6ikNLbx551TY4M1D8tp8n60E11LZP3v9z2AG0l9SZOSFEJlqWPeZkZxO6GQB6bCTaxgzFt-yRnT42QspfUeOYgbxI/s640/IMG_2454.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Run Van, it's been fun, see you again next year!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong>Giving Thanks</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Huge thanks go out to...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
-Lynn Kanuka, Frank Stebner, Thelma Wright, Greg White, Teresa Nightingale, and all the wonderful Run Van race organizers and volunteers who made this event truly one to always remember fondly. I'll definitely be back again!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
-All the athletes I met over the great Run Van weekend! I hope to see you all in San Diego at some point in time!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
-My awesome Coach, Paul Greer of <a href="http://www.sdtc.com/">San Diego Track Club</a>, for helping lay down a training program that has continued to allow me to improve as an athlete these past 12 years!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
-The great Coach Kevin McCarey for leading fantastically tortuous training sessions on Saturdays down at Ski Beach. I'm one of the sick crazies who LOVES torture, aka SPEED!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
-All my girls on Team SDTC, training peeps, friends, and family who have supported me and kept me inspired throughout this journey.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
-<a href="http://www.armonescoreconnection.com/">Armone's Core Connection</a> (pilates, functional training) for keeping me strong, no doubt helping me log more quality miles and improve</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
-<a href="http://www.saucony.com/">Saucony</a> for keeping me equipped in the finest running apparel and shoes and inspiring me to keep finding my strong these past 3 years. LOVED seeing you representing at the race!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
-<a href="http://www.infinitnutrition.com/">Infinit Nutrition</a> and <a href="http://www.purefit.com/">Pure Fit</a> for helping fuel my 26.2 performance </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Love you all!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong>Next up: </strong>San Diego Rock n' Roll Half Marathon on June 3rd (my birthday weekend!!!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>Fuel Factor Nutrition Coachinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637582866021825471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940277109063130616.post-79693792785969687392012-04-04T20:27:00.007-07:002012-04-04T21:22:17.486-07:00Finding my Strong-est in 2012Every year, I like to set running goals for myself and this year is no different only I knew I was going to encounter some major time roadlbocks finishing up writing for my first book (due May 15th, to be published by <a href="http://www.humankinetics.com/">Human Kinetics</a> this Fall!!!) all the meanwhile managing my nutrition coaching business, <a href="http://www.fuel-factor.com/">Fuel Factor</a>, serving as part-owner and nutrition consultant for <a href="http://www.infinitnutrition.com/">Infinit Nutrition</a>, nutritionally helping athletes sponsored by <a href="http://www.infiniterunning.com/">Infinite Running</a>, preparing to speak at <a href="http://www.sportsrd.org/">Collegiate and Professional Sports Dietetics Association Annual Conference</a>, and holding some resemblance of a social life. So, how has my Spring racing gone thus far, you may ask? Honestly, it has arguably been one of my strongest seasons as an athlete to date and I couldn't be prouder and thankful for all the support my family, friends, training buddies, coach and sponsors have provided me. Here's a little recap...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.coronado10k.com/">Coronado Valentine's Day 10k</a> : 2/12/12<br />
<br />
As the name indicates, this race falls over everyone's favorite (or not so much) Hallmark holiday. Shouldn't love be shared year-round? Don't get me wrong, I'm a chick so I like to receive little tokens of affection including on V-Day but it doesn't need to come from a chocolate box, teddy bear, or Hallmark card. The past 2 years, my primary tokens of affection have been received by a killer 10k road race and I couldn't have been more satisfied with the outcome. Both years have been run in the midst of a heavy marathon training block but despite adding my heavy workload to my running agenda this year, I ran my fastest road 10k ever, posting a 36:39 good for the age group win, 4th overall chick behind an Olympian, professional trackster, and the reigning Xterra World Champion. I think I was most pleased by the fact that I ran over a minute faster than I ran on the exact same course last year. Stress, aging...bah! I'm growing faster with it =) <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8n6wbp0tfou13adn9IskALgnxcs9VtUjhNuKePvTTNaGQvOnIHcfOX7BiXzsLFVNKJRfbDgew7Kfltr12bDTs4OlDBlx69APooxMbYFsX_uA4n-ljf-RWYyQ1DHUDNUdErvfCZ5S-CHhp/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8n6wbp0tfou13adn9IskALgnxcs9VtUjhNuKePvTTNaGQvOnIHcfOX7BiXzsLFVNKJRfbDgew7Kfltr12bDTs4OlDBlx69APooxMbYFsX_uA4n-ljf-RWYyQ1DHUDNUdErvfCZ5S-CHhp/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging with my speedy gal pals, Kimmie Rouse and Lesley Patterson</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<a href="https://www.sdhalfmarathon.com/">San Diego Half Marathon</a> 3/11/12<br />
<br />
Race #2 of 2012 doubled as an opportunity to share my knowledge of race day nutrition to the tens of thousands of athletes rolling through Petco Park, which certainly rivals as one of my favorite clinic backdrops ever. What do you think?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICSgcvHAf6SJIw0uuPmnLmzePFfo2lmtfjbVwV90RiG_UlgSOphl3lSxvNb16AmIMOzKx0uxT-MBpQEWa5t3RN0m9bIG5px3jPTl-jR3_ej4ywf_CC1spiCtbryZAk-bsjC7DzxzQirT1/s1600/photo+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICSgcvHAf6SJIw0uuPmnLmzePFfo2lmtfjbVwV90RiG_UlgSOphl3lSxvNb16AmIMOzKx0uxT-MBpQEWa5t3RN0m9bIG5px3jPTl-jR3_ej4ywf_CC1spiCtbryZAk-bsjC7DzxzQirT1/s320/photo+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Backdrop for the pre-race nutrition clinic I gave, pretty sweet!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>For a first time race, I can't say enough good things about the organization, the volunteers, and the scenic course that took you through downtown San Diego, along San Diego Harbor, through Liberty Station, up (and up and up and up) Washington Street to wind through scenic Mission Hills before dropping down by Balboa Park for a dramatic finish within Petco Park. I actually lead for about 10 miles of the race, which was kind of cool because my name apparently kept popping up on the Jumbo Tron at Petco (that's a first for me). Sadly, I was passed but did hold on to finish 4th overall (again) and a dominant age group win in a near PR of 1:21:56, just 16 seconds off the W. Again, not bad considering a killer 1+ mile hill around mile 8 and a maxed out stress-load with work. I was happy and also stoked for my team, WPC (Women Podium Chasers) for being the fastest chicks on the course that morning. Way to go gals! To top off the awesome day, <a href="http://www.lifehousemusic.com/">Lifehouse</a> rocked out the post-race party. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-BVu-oHglS-FiLbsiJ930NOzpM8M6qgID6t_jHtAxtQoFcAq6jTcNxtpP-qf63_Nz8mUH7yMp300cE61bqSgiFuue8hxnfARS9KjAyVgDxeZftIMYQv0jEU8TqoVovsSlUL18PLu8xnt/s1600/463560_390310007646389_232978560046202_1507542_137340966_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-BVu-oHglS-FiLbsiJ930NOzpM8M6qgID6t_jHtAxtQoFcAq6jTcNxtpP-qf63_Nz8mUH7yMp300cE61bqSgiFuue8hxnfARS9KjAyVgDxeZftIMYQv0jEU8TqoVovsSlUL18PLu8xnt/s320/463560_390310007646389_232978560046202_1507542_137340966_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made the jumbo-tron, woohoo!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZj9hlTDfT82pK6cnvOBIkzzOiE8AR3SRgE5v6PQIuiGToM3yHXaDPKjkRtCPSgU1eq3v1FATI5MzIsMsMv9pbDz_WWlU-bHW6zAR73LsShungAMXHhjxf30MCq-OCvaBHAmLaS6Cz6_61/s1600/420432_3028131979567_1150839424_32465299_1210173275_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZj9hlTDfT82pK6cnvOBIkzzOiE8AR3SRgE5v6PQIuiGToM3yHXaDPKjkRtCPSgU1eq3v1FATI5MzIsMsMv9pbDz_WWlU-bHW6zAR73LsShungAMXHhjxf30MCq-OCvaBHAmLaS6Cz6_61/s320/420432_3028131979567_1150839424_32465299_1210173275_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading up the 1+ mile intense Washington St climb at mile 8, notice my hang loose response =)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnrRy94CvGhD0L_Q4dvfhV0VLzWS90QGJ8DyQnt-qGbMlR6ukmYHymZEwuPayxb-URoCN86WRqt1iMzTc4G6FhrTUwuQp81jXVsI7eEDeY38i0VxyRIjzasCsZCcmnnti5DJ4BbTGbNut/s1600/photo+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnrRy94CvGhD0L_Q4dvfhV0VLzWS90QGJ8DyQnt-qGbMlR6ukmYHymZEwuPayxb-URoCN86WRqt1iMzTc4G6FhrTUwuQp81jXVsI7eEDeY38i0VxyRIjzasCsZCcmnnti5DJ4BbTGbNut/s320/photo+(4).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team WPC (Women's Podium Chasers) were the speediest chicks on the course!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjJJZjikKdqUCtuqy_VYLBw1N0PeIn2EvAl5EKxC15tyeAzrcu18w7Kj65njJFcIQY2bJMzEt6klF2q98ropZxVk6ZJMdINoAcgznLI-D-Tp2LLBfRA0Hmy_ATgRHGjne139kPGiAl-YB/s1600/photo+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjJJZjikKdqUCtuqy_VYLBw1N0PeIn2EvAl5EKxC15tyeAzrcu18w7Kj65njJFcIQY2bJMzEt6klF2q98ropZxVk6ZJMdINoAcgznLI-D-Tp2LLBfRA0Hmy_ATgRHGjne139kPGiAl-YB/s320/photo+(3).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the post-race party with Lifehouse rocking the stage</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<a href="http://www.lamarathon.com/">LA Marathon</a> 3/18/12<br />
<br />
It's not often (ok, I have never done it) that I take on back-to-back endurance races but after being asked to join team <a href="http://www.choosecherries.com/index.aspx">Powered By Red</a> fairly last minute, I jumped on the opportunity. As a Registered Dietitian and Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics, I am a huge believer in the power of natural foods on recovery and amongst these foods are tart cherries. Tart cherries contain powerful compounds called anthocyanins that have demonstrated just as potent anti-inflammatory properties as NSAIDs without having the harsh effects on the stomach. Ever since reading about athletes drinking tart cherry juice to combat the inflammatory stress associated with Olympic competition in combination with smog and heat, I have implemented it into my daily regimen. I drink anywhere from 8-16 ounces daily depending on my training for the day. It works, try it! I certainly was drinking it daily after finishing up San Diego Half to help my recovery in preparation for LA Marathon just 7 days later. In addition, I extended my carbo-loading to 6-days to accommodate both reloading and loading. Carbo-loading entails that you consume approximately 4-5 grams of carbs per pound of lean body mass (it's a lot). Here is what it looks like to give you an idea:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14pA-nJ6-3xcTtPwNApVq1mlVx4uYAQ5IR0s5FIUviienMhSq9rLOKcn9lcg5lA13HKYBavhC1IVtxJU2PpUwdBMTmd8IrlZTgWQCKLMqKWKQe1mJC0dHEieU261pfJ2Z72q9OvcLpI5K/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14pA-nJ6-3xcTtPwNApVq1mlVx4uYAQ5IR0s5FIUviienMhSq9rLOKcn9lcg5lA13HKYBavhC1IVtxJU2PpUwdBMTmd8IrlZTgWQCKLMqKWKQe1mJC0dHEieU261pfJ2Z72q9OvcLpI5K/s320/photo+(1).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What carbo-loading looks like</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I took the train up from San Diego to LA with hopes that I would avoid traffic associated with the weather (rain and lots of wind) Mother Nature was bringing to the area. Sadly, the bus I anticipated taking me directly to Dodger Stadium fails to run on weekends so I ended up being dropped off luggage in tote with about a mile walk straight uphill to get to the expo for packet pick-up. Not the most ideal thing to be doing before running a marathon but as luck would have it on that day, there were no taxis to be found. I eventually did get my packet (and a nice hill workout as well as a shower in the downpour en route to my hotel) at which point, I wish I could say I chilled at my hotel but instead, worked on my book most the day until my boyfriend Mark arrived. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Race morning quickly arrived and while I wasn't really nervous about running the race, I was nervous about getting to the race on time after getting stuck in a huge traffic jam at 5am in the morning. Is LA ever traffic-less? It did give me time to consume my pre-race ritual of a <a href="http://www.purefit.com/">Pure Fit Nutrition Bar</a>, <a href="http://www.infinitnutrition.com/">Infinit Run</a>, and of course my morning caffeine. The good news is that I did make it to Dodger Stadium (the start) but only with about 15 minutes to spare for derobing, bathroom, and fighting my way to the front line. Guess that works for a warm-up, right? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first few miles were a total blur as I was still amped up about getting to the race on time. I did quickly get into a pace groove though and thoroughly enjoyed the diverse downtown LA crowd as well as the diverse terrain (think hills, more than I anticipated). What I didn't enjoy was Mother Nature's energy as she threw in a nice headwind that we battled the entire duration of the point-to-point course. When I could, I tucked in behind some of the taller peeps around me but that didn't happen too often so I just rolled with the extra challenge. It could have been a lot worse. As most athletes do, I encountered some mental demons when my calves started to cramp up (I'm a forefoot striker so 39.3 racing miles in a week is a lot of stress on them) midway through the race. Fortunately, I am quite bullheaded and hate even saying the word quit. I once got pulled off a race course after my O2 sat dropped dangerously low causing me to pass out. When I was being treated, I asked the medical directors if they could drop me back off on the course so I could finish. Anyways, I carried on despite the calf cramps but allowed stretch breaks as needed. Even with the calf cramps, I felt extremely strong and was able to surge at the end for my 4th sub 3 finish (2:59:47 officially) for 11th overall chick on the day, 2nd in my AG. It felt great to run in honor of my amazing grandpa who 1-week after I ran LA left this world a mere 3 weeks from his 102nd birthday! He definitely has inspired me to conquer life's many marathons with a smile on my face. Love him always.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4jZnBupG8D2YpTwPO_B8b-0HSdTmelS05G3_-wQnw-AYgkhK3KSVd5-RXrApeRp9HNYPGS8g0EKYS0tG8dRB_cdfowYkzFD0QgWgxd-aD9tA7NuWttwqwCyoiQ_IoaJ4Hzy98Vmh0L_w/s1600/718592-1007-0027s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4jZnBupG8D2YpTwPO_B8b-0HSdTmelS05G3_-wQnw-AYgkhK3KSVd5-RXrApeRp9HNYPGS8g0EKYS0tG8dRB_cdfowYkzFD0QgWgxd-aD9tA7NuWttwqwCyoiQ_IoaJ4Hzy98Vmh0L_w/s320/718592-1007-0027s.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finding my strong, thanks Saucony!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1y3ynGaNzFGdFilgrPo5jF5A5g-ouN2wXl9hK8Z-lFqzU1rFqvggAeau9oNhNbTNuzfOy7KmFiv9_UyUM9cqNO51vwLS67D9otb0d0Eag6oFDrHngIwABvm8QeeaQ2zLMZOgYVV_XXxNA/s1600/718532-9009-0020s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1y3ynGaNzFGdFilgrPo5jF5A5g-ouN2wXl9hK8Z-lFqzU1rFqvggAeau9oNhNbTNuzfOy7KmFiv9_UyUM9cqNO51vwLS67D9otb0d0Eag6oFDrHngIwABvm8QeeaQ2zLMZOgYVV_XXxNA/s320/718532-9009-0020s.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Officially 2:59:47 good for 11th OA chick on the day</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZnVwfqnpg53USl7tHJQ2Ihs_97_-Fl7-ACERFVuiYM_fioBkkSsVLoCmGKvV7kYn_xq8uSebI5_Xk6g9WutghUQJHScI9NqrTaD6EjtGXfseNRXpW5Kxo_4XYSBdaX9M0gY4k70c7RU8/s1600/718571-6001-0040s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZnVwfqnpg53USl7tHJQ2Ihs_97_-Fl7-ACERFVuiYM_fioBkkSsVLoCmGKvV7kYn_xq8uSebI5_Xk6g9WutghUQJHScI9NqrTaD6EjtGXfseNRXpW5Kxo_4XYSBdaX9M0gY4k70c7RU8/s320/718571-6001-0040s.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Powered by Red</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhIuVEFZlRn8kwHyqya5TJAxo9wbS7o4gRSlpeJkdQdr14090vx6hTOr55vcfz8Cp0lQa_eIzWm7scFIrsbgS7GSg8rCQaqdYN-y-sWty5HDdg1SjctKMCa4QlJFB0cpX2SiHFzgAW-nn/s1600/557149_10151445434485193_857455192_23592193_943340942_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhIuVEFZlRn8kwHyqya5TJAxo9wbS7o4gRSlpeJkdQdr14090vx6hTOr55vcfz8Cp0lQa_eIzWm7scFIrsbgS7GSg8rCQaqdYN-y-sWty5HDdg1SjctKMCa4QlJFB0cpX2SiHFzgAW-nn/s1600/557149_10151445434485193_857455192_23592193_943340942_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love you grandpa!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
After the race, I downed some tart cherry concentrate with water, received a wonderful massage from the awesome race volunteers, and joined Mark for a post-race celebraton with my brother Kevin who also happened to be celebrating his 34th birthday. All and all, it's been an amazing year thus far and I look forward to continuing to find my strong-est in 2012. Thanks to my wonderful family, friends, training buddies, Mark, <a href="http://www.sdtc.com/">San Diego Track Club</a> teammates, coach Paul Greer, sponsor <a href="http://www.saucony.com,/">www.saucony.com,</a> <a href="http://www.armonescoreconnection.com/2/">Armones Core Connection</a> (pilates and strength sessions keys to my success), Jerry Moylan & Ryan Schuler (they help keep me healthy)....the list could go on. I am so thankful for everyone in my life...as my coach would say, you all make a difference and to say it is inspiring is a vast understatement. Love you all!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next up: <a href="http://www.bmovanmarathon.ca/index.php">Vancouver Marathon</a> on May 6</div>Fuel Factor Nutrition Coachinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637582866021825471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940277109063130616.post-9277520963854652052011-12-24T17:54:00.000-08:002011-12-24T17:54:41.705-08:00Reflections of 2011<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #77933c; font-size: 48pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #77933C; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">REFLECTIONS OF 2011</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: #4f6228; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #4F6228; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;">WINTER</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #4F6228; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The year kicked off on an adventurous note with my first trip up to Big Bear with my bro Kevin who treated me to a day of skiing (my first time on the downhill front in 10 years). With temperatures in the 50s (gotta love California for that), the powder wasn’t great but nonetheless, we had a blast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The following weekend, I took a scenic coastal train ride up to Santa Barbara for a fun weekend with friends. Cool little seaside town, will definitely be back. </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6dtnt1iRMVw/TvTTWuYRPeI/AAAAAAAAAOY/wxKbVTXp27A/s1600/168990_10150409623015193_857455192_17197968_283041_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6dtnt1iRMVw/TvTTWuYRPeI/AAAAAAAAAOY/wxKbVTXp27A/s320/168990_10150409623015193_857455192_17197968_283041_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skiing at Big Bear Mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cadScZGshGQ/TvTTm8nzavI/AAAAAAAAAOk/McRYtXFuPBc/s1600/167274_10150409620415193_857455192_17197892_1057442_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cadScZGshGQ/TvTTm8nzavI/AAAAAAAAAOk/McRYtXFuPBc/s320/167274_10150409620415193_857455192_17197892_1057442_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Train Ride to Santa Barbara with friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table><shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><stroke joinstyle="miter"></stroke><formulas><f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></f><f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></f><f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></f><f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></f><f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></f></formulas><path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"></path><lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></lock></shapetype><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><shape alt="Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\User\Desktop\188248_10150465246715193_857455192_17922824_5258618_n.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_6" o:spid="_x0000_s1039" strokecolor="#76923c [2406]" stroked="t" strokeweight="6pt" style="height: 149pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 4.45pt; mso-height-percent: 0; mso-height-relative: page; mso-position-horizontal-relative: text; mso-position-horizontal: left; mso-position-vertical-relative: text; mso-position-vertical: absolute; mso-width-percent: 0; mso-width-relative: page; mso-wrap-distance-bottom: 0; mso-wrap-distance-left: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top: 0; mso-wrap-style: square; position: absolute; visibility: visible; width: 198.7pt; z-index: 251663360;" type="#_x0000_t75"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><imagedata o:title="188248_10150465246715193_857455192_17922824_5258618_n" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"></imagedata><wrap type="square"></wrap></span></shape><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: #4f6228; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #4F6228; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;">SPRING</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #4F6228; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;">: The start of spring coincided with the kickoff to my 2011 racing season at NYC Half Marathon, my second consecutive trip back to Manhattan for this gorgeous 13.1 mile tour of Central Park, Times Square, and an eventual finish at Battery Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For all the runners out there, I highly recommend this race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pre-race, I had the honor of joining Olympian Meb Keflezighi and my friends from <a href="http://www.infiniterunning.org/">Infinite Running</a> (a coaching company I serve as nutritionist for and with whom graciously supports my running goals) for dinner in Manhattan. Race day this year was a cold one though and my San Diego blood wasn’t quite ready for the sub-freezing temperature and winds at the start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nonetheless, it was exciting to brush shoulders with some of the fastest runners in the world (everyone LOVES racing in NYC) and as the gun went off, I quickly forgot about the cold, cruising toward a new 13.1 PR of 1:22:20. </span></b></span><shape alt="Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\User\Desktop\225675_10150598729085193_857455192_18581048_7118432_n.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_4" o:spid="_x0000_s1038" strokecolor="#76923c [2406]" stroked="t" strokeweight="6pt" style="height: 168.4pt; margin-left: 173.4pt; margin-top: 78.05pt; mso-height-percent: 0; mso-height-relative: page; mso-position-horizontal-relative: text; mso-position-horizontal: right; mso-position-vertical-relative: text; mso-position-vertical: absolute; mso-width-percent: 0; mso-width-relative: page; mso-wrap-distance-bottom: 0; mso-wrap-distance-left: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top: 0; mso-wrap-style: square; position: absolute; visibility: visible; width: 224.6pt; z-index: 251665408;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:title="225675_10150598729085193_857455192_18581048_7118432_n" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image003.jpg"></imagedata><wrap type="square"></wrap></shape></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #4F6228; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"></span></b> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DdnYMCJ3Evc/TvTUKiv0M6I/AAAAAAAAAOw/0fjKtyEkUMc/s1600/188248_10150465246715193_857455192_17922824_5258618_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DdnYMCJ3Evc/TvTUKiv0M6I/AAAAAAAAAOw/0fjKtyEkUMc/s320/188248_10150465246715193_857455192_17922824_5258618_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-race dinner with friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #4F6228; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A few weeks later, I returned to Vancouver to race the Vancouver Marathon (I’ll be back in Vancouver this upcoming May) and while I wasn’t able to secure the time I wanted, I moved up a place in the standings, placing 3<sup>rd</sup> overall for women </span></span></b><br />
<strong><span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: Calibri;"></span></strong><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #4F6228; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">and breaking 3 hours for my second time (2:59).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While accepting my award, I got to meet running legend <a href="http://www.kathrineswitzer.com/bio.shtml">Kathryn Switzer</a> (pictured to the right of me) which was a huge honor and inspiring. I had a blast meeting new athletes from all over the world, hanging with some of my San Diego running family, and visiting my friend Greg who graciously offered a place for me to stay post-race as well as gave me the inside tour of the city, which included a nice dinner at the English Boathouse </span></span></b><shape alt="Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\User\Desktop\222348_10150600786830193_857455192_18607838_5472715_n.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_5" o:spid="_x0000_s1037" strokecolor="#76923c [2406]" stroked="t" strokeweight="6pt" style="height: 175.9pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 6pt; mso-height-percent: 0; mso-height-relative: page; mso-position-horizontal-relative: text; mso-position-horizontal: left; mso-position-vertical-relative: text; mso-position-vertical: absolute; mso-width-percent: 0; mso-width-relative: page; mso-wrap-distance-bottom: 0; mso-wrap-distance-left: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top: 0; mso-wrap-style: square; position: absolute; visibility: visible; width: 234.75pt; z-index: 251666432;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:title="222348_10150600786830193_857455192_18607838_5472715_n" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image005.jpg"></imagedata><wrap type="square"></wrap></shape><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #4F6228; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">with fellow podium runners from the half and full marathon.</span></span></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X9HKEYY2rSc/TvZ7t2fNRbI/AAAAAAAAAPw/X_MRiDDOV5c/s1600/227855_10150598732490193_857455192_18581142_8245935_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X9HKEYY2rSc/TvZ7t2fNRbI/AAAAAAAAAPw/X_MRiDDOV5c/s320/227855_10150598732490193_857455192_18581142_8245935_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Vancouver</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UbXWeMLd2IA/TvZ757WgkjI/AAAAAAAAAP8/Y5NbY9r-TLY/s1600/229150_10150598730850193_857455192_18581086_5907795_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UbXWeMLd2IA/TvZ757WgkjI/AAAAAAAAAP8/Y5NbY9r-TLY/s320/229150_10150598730850193_857455192_18581086_5907795_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Receiving my 3rd OA award from women's running icon Kathryn Switzer</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tryUkoEe3Mw/TvZ8KKSeEdI/AAAAAAAAAQI/yxkd440LCPM/s1600/225675_10150598729085193_857455192_18581048_7118432_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tryUkoEe3Mw/TvZ8KKSeEdI/AAAAAAAAAQI/yxkd440LCPM/s320/225675_10150598729085193_857455192_18581048_7118432_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner at English Boathouse post-race</td></tr>
</tbody></table><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #4F6228; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With 2011 marking the 10 year anniversary of 9/11, a dismal day in history, it was nice to see some justice finally being served with the take down of Bin Laden one day post-race. I am forever grateful for our soldiers who bravely and selflessly fight for our freedom. 2011 has been a particularly hard one for many, including myself. For the first time, the war on terrorism hit way too close to home as one of my friends, a decorated Navy Seal these past 17 years, was KIA along with 30 others while on a mission in Afghanistan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just don’t understand where the hatred of a terrorist originates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sad (and scary) to think that there are many more like Bin Laden being bred with the same disgusting mindset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vb9i7nWsSdc/TvZ8hqIBKTI/AAAAAAAAAQU/n8NM2zbCmFI/s1600/222348_10150600786830193_857455192_18607838_5472715_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vb9i7nWsSdc/TvZ8hqIBKTI/AAAAAAAAAQU/n8NM2zbCmFI/s320/222348_10150600786830193_857455192_18607838_5472715_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Justice is served</td></tr>
</tbody></table><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #4F6228; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I ended spring on a happy note with a fun trip out to Charlotte, NC for my long-time friend Sue’s bridal and bachelorette party, which turned out to be a nice mix of Southern hospitality at Duke Mansion (pictured through the trees), bubbly (lots of it), race cars (Charlotte is home to Nascar), and VIP clubbin’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beyond the excitement of getting married, Sue & her hubby Ben also purchased a beautiful new home, which no doubt will generate a lifetime of sweet memories. So pumped for them and can’t wait to come back to visit in 2012.</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vqFCFuI1aMQ/TvZ8-FmvDtI/AAAAAAAAAQg/6NfgQPnfBrY/s1600/221811_10150607569715193_857455192_18683082_7954103_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vqFCFuI1aMQ/TvZ8-FmvDtI/AAAAAAAAAQg/6NfgQPnfBrY/s320/221811_10150607569715193_857455192_18683082_7954103_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duke Mansion through the trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5NSMWvyRlew/TvZ9A6d_g4I/AAAAAAAAAQo/LxFg1BhblRQ/s1600/225331_10150607562710193_857455192_18682898_2499686_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5NSMWvyRlew/TvZ9A6d_g4I/AAAAAAAAAQo/LxFg1BhblRQ/s320/225331_10150607562710193_857455192_18682898_2499686_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIP treatment for the bride at Butter Nightclub, Charlotte</td></tr>
</tbody></table><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #4F6228; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">SUMMER: To kick-off summer, I headed back to the Midwest for Sue & Ben’s wedding at Gun Lake in Michigan. I thankfully didn’t have any encounters with guns while running the country roads that circled the massive lake but did enjoy jumping in it post-run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wedding festivities were a blast; can’t get much better than 80 degree sunshine in the best of company on a summer evening in the Midwest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the sunset was spectacular with the entire wedding party taking a boat onto the lake to witness the gorgeous display of colors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BaIgKU9UaSM/TvZ9l8Sp60I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/WeRS2zdv5ls/s1600/264805_10150703702905193_857455192_19582527_4076662_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BaIgKU9UaSM/TvZ9l8Sp60I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/WeRS2zdv5ls/s320/264805_10150703702905193_857455192_19582527_4076662_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The happy couple on Gun Lake at sunset</td></tr>
</tbody></table><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #4F6228; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sue & Ben’s wedding was definitely the highlight of the summer but I did manage to get out to a few shows (still a lover of live music). My fav was Independence Jam held in Oceanside (yep, you guessed it, an oceanside concert venue) where Cold War Kids brilliantly performed their new album. Outside of that, the bulk of summer was spent working on my book, Functional Ingredients and Supplements for the Athlete. Submission to my publisher, <a href="http://www.humankinetics.com/">Human Kinetics</a>, is in March, hopeful release by year’s end 2012 or early 2013. It has definitely proven to be a challenge balancing deadlines with full time duties heading up my business and chasing after my running dreams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o449MPrtQlI/TvZ-MYkplPI/AAAAAAAAARA/FhziOiVgTxQ/s1600/263816_10150703764345193_857455192_19583506_2066965_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o449MPrtQlI/TvZ-MYkplPI/AAAAAAAAARA/FhziOiVgTxQ/s320/263816_10150703764345193_857455192_19583506_2066965_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Independence Jam, Oceanside (California)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #4F6228; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;">Towards the end of summer, I was finishing up a workout with Coach Kevin McCarey (a great coach here in San Diego) when I received the horrific news that my friend JT, a total bad arse athlete and long-time Navy Seal, was in a helicopter that had been shot down by enemy fire just hours earlier in Afghanistan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is hard to describe the emotions that entered me that morning but let’s just say they were running at lightning fast speed bringing all sorts of weather that made it really hard to focus on anything for some time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A week after this occurred, I flew out to Chicago to run Chicago Rock n’ Roll Half as part of my training for my Fall Marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to dedicate my race to JT and all his fallen comrades of 8-6-11.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the least I could do and also served as my way of coping with the loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think I have ever sat on the starting line of a race with tears in my eyes but I didn’t’ care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tragic events of 8-6-11 serve as a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice our soldiers make day in day out to serve our country proud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks to all of you who have served or continue to serve; you will forever have my utmost respect. JT’s energy from above no doubt helped me that morning as, despite windy conditions, I broke another personal 13.1 record, dropping my time down to 1:21 </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #4F6228; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;">and finishing 5<sup>th</sup> overall in stacked competition. </span></b></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-auo6WqK8hkI/TvZ-wkVqBlI/AAAAAAAAARM/cbXrX2n2HLU/s1600/299874_10150770006295193_857455192_20442464_5719587_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-auo6WqK8hkI/TvZ-wkVqBlI/AAAAAAAAARM/cbXrX2n2HLU/s320/299874_10150770006295193_857455192_20442464_5719587_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never forget 8-6-11</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LzYhpsLGUbw/TvZ-z2bTJ6I/AAAAAAAAARU/eD7swOqcDEI/s1600/228913_10150356326623319_525753318_9741426_8371120_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LzYhpsLGUbw/TvZ-z2bTJ6I/AAAAAAAAARU/eD7swOqcDEI/s320/228913_10150356326623319_525753318_9741426_8371120_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running in honor of JT and our fallen brave</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pnF_wI6psWE/TvZ-2x1B6tI/AAAAAAAAARc/riQAfDVO_KM/s1600/292741_10150769999130193_857455192_20442333_6320765_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pnF_wI6psWE/TvZ-2x1B6tI/AAAAAAAAARc/riQAfDVO_KM/s320/292741_10150769999130193_857455192_20442333_6320765_n.jpg" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my dad post-race</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #4F6228; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fall: Fall kicked off with a couple cross-country running races in San Diego followed by my “A” race of the year, Twin Cities Marathon in Minneapolis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I entered the race in honestly the best shape of my life, running faster than I have ever run so I was extremely excited to lay it all out on the line, to chase after the Olympic Trial Qualifying standard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, some things are out of my control and on this particular day, my asthma bore its ugly head and I knew after posting nearly 20 miles on pace, my shallow breathing/wheezing was doing some damage as I couldn’t inhale a full breath and when I tried, my abdominal wall went into spasm state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Long story short, I did finish, but had to walk/jog the final 10k.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>End Time: 2:57.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was extremely let down that my hard work didn’t culminate to what I had envisioned but sometimes as an athlete, it are these tough moments that pave the way to better things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the race, I had a blast catching up with a couple of my college running teammates from Illinois State…thanks again Jenny and Heather for coming out to cheer me on!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love you gals! </span></span></b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BBMMYng13j8/TvZ_OGlGdxI/AAAAAAAAARo/YtmN3QH0rSY/s1600/311836_10150854342390193_857455192_21172429_1663401205_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BBMMYng13j8/TvZ_OGlGdxI/AAAAAAAAARo/YtmN3QH0rSY/s320/311836_10150854342390193_857455192_21172429_1663401205_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my former Redbird XC teammates Heather & Jenny at the finishline.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #4F6228; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One week after Twin Cities, I had the honor of returning to Chicago to run Chicago Marathon as part of a charity relay with Hope Solo, Abby Wambach, and Alex Morgan of the US Women’s Soccer Team on behalf of <a href="http://www.3minutesout.org/">JT</a> and <a href="http://www.gotyourbacknetwork.org/">Got Your Back Network </a>(GYBN), a charity organization dedicated to helping families of fallen soldiers like JT’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This opportunity came about when I submitted an essay about JT that was chosen by Bank of America as a winner, which allowed me to join 11 others in honoring our respective charities and raise $5000 for <a href="http://www.gotyourbacknetwork.org/">GYBN</a> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, all of which was donated to <a href="http://www.3minutesout.org/">JT’s memorial fund</a></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> that will help build a memorial statue honoring the fallen soldiers of 8-6-11 as well as launch an annual road race to raise money for other families of fallen soldiers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an experience I will never forget.</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y8MulPvnfCk/TvZ_idqneBI/AAAAAAAAAR0/Hy5zaGma32c/s1600/308909_10150870489980193_857455192_21288465_2043929469_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y8MulPvnfCk/TvZ_idqneBI/AAAAAAAAAR0/Hy5zaGma32c/s320/308909_10150870489980193_857455192_21288465_2043929469_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running with US Women's Soccer Star Alex Morgan on behalf of Got Your Back Network in honor of JT</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LdJfN0dNUAM/TvZ_lTXJJbI/AAAAAAAAAR8/GHEabwVohZU/s1600/314585_162802070476312_161944160562103_318132_452800646_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LdJfN0dNUAM/TvZ_lTXJJbI/AAAAAAAAAR8/GHEabwVohZU/s320/314585_162802070476312_161944160562103_318132_452800646_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bank of America's Let's Run Together Charity Relay Runners</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-izt-6QyCEVU/TvZ_ot27pYI/AAAAAAAAASE/h088fazLyZY/s1600/318356_10150885733900193_857455192_21389813_1574583659_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-izt-6QyCEVU/TvZ_ot27pYI/AAAAAAAAASE/h088fazLyZY/s320/318356_10150885733900193_857455192_21389813_1574583659_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honoring JT with US Women's Soccer rockstars Hope Solo, Abby Wambach, and Alex Morgan</td></tr>
</tbody></table><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #4F6228; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This Fall, I also enjoyed serving as an assistant coach for Biships High School in La Jolla.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both teams won the conference title this year and the boy’s posted the highest finish for a Bishops XC team ever when the clinched 8<sup>th</sup> OA at a stacked state championship meet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weekend of the state championship meet, one of the gals on the team came up to me and told me that she was most thankful for me this holiday season; the comment just about melted my heart and really solidified why I love coaching especially at this age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being able to share my knowledge of nutrition and fitness and experience in sport with these kids is a pure joy.</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBqo8uN7VuM/TvaA3gu2siI/AAAAAAAAASQ/32u9wsctflE/s1600/374259_10150368756415872_521105871_8872306_281476553_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBqo8uN7VuM/TvaA3gu2siI/AAAAAAAAASQ/32u9wsctflE/s320/374259_10150368756415872_521105871_8872306_281476553_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bishops XC Knights run their way to a Conference Title, I'm a proud coach!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #4F6228; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">While the kids season winded down, I was enjoying focusing on shorter, faster stuff in preparation for the </span></span></b><shape alt="Description: C:\Users\User\Desktop\374577_10151051476280193_857455192_22128283_1710151111_n.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_19" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" strokecolor="#76923c [2406]" stroked="t" strokeweight="6pt" style="height: 231.5pt; margin-left: 244.3pt; margin-top: 94.5pt; mso-height-percent: 0; mso-height-relative: margin; mso-position-horizontal-relative: text; mso-position-horizontal: right; mso-position-vertical-relative: text; mso-position-vertical: absolute; mso-width-percent: 0; mso-width-relative: margin; mso-wrap-distance-bottom: 0; mso-wrap-distance-left: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top: 0; mso-wrap-style: square; position: absolute; visibility: visible; width: 295.5pt; z-index: -251627520;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:title="374577_10151051476280193_857455192_22128283_1710151111_n" src="file:///C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image019.jpg"></imagedata><wrap type="tight"></wrap></shape><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #4F6228; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">USATF Club XC Nationals Championships with which I was joining my San Diego Track Club teammates for in Seattle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is always fun visiting new cities during the holidays as everything is generally all decked out pretty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seattle was no different with a spectacle of lights in the city although it was the library of all places that moved us most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like one big art exhibit in city center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The race, despite the chilly damp air and slippery terrain, went extremely well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ended up running 20 seconds faster than last year on a slower course, clinching a spot in the top 15 nationally for woman 30+.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a nice way to end a year of racing that included many compromises as</span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #4F6228; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> I chased after dreams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the race, we had fun celebrating and exploring the beautiful trails of Discovery Park before returning to San Diego.</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sgCDP-fPuM0/TvaBkt3B5EI/AAAAAAAAATA/eXbPQfaWu4I/s1600/393714_10151057926795193_857455192_22147275_986959230_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sgCDP-fPuM0/TvaBkt3B5EI/AAAAAAAAATA/eXbPQfaWu4I/s320/393714_10151057926795193_857455192_22147275_986959230_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting line, USATF Club XC Champs (I'm on the far end with the hat on)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o5EKeWEumaw/TvaBWZ0mwrI/AAAAAAAAASk/OQoWXMGSEBA/s1600/374577_10151051476280193_857455192_22128283_1710151111_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o5EKeWEumaw/TvaBWZ0mwrI/AAAAAAAAASk/OQoWXMGSEBA/s320/374577_10151051476280193_857455192_22128283_1710151111_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Diego Track Club at Club XC Nationals in Seattle</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4_W4DOAqTmU/TvaBY4b-UyI/AAAAAAAAASs/Yo_gqRXfvU0/s1600/376162_10151051476800193_857455192_22128286_259592522_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4_W4DOAqTmU/TvaBY4b-UyI/AAAAAAAAASs/Yo_gqRXfvU0/s320/376162_10151051476800193_857455192_22128286_259592522_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Diego Track Clubbers at dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9DGKPe4QX04/TvaBbDWJjXI/AAAAAAAAAS0/IZVfsjqLKpM/s1600/383679_10151051472660193_857455192_22128253_1249882391_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9DGKPe4QX04/TvaBbDWJjXI/AAAAAAAAAS0/IZVfsjqLKpM/s320/383679_10151051472660193_857455192_22128253_1249882391_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoyed beautiful vistas during a trail run at Discover Park, Seattle</td></tr>
</tbody></table><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #4F6228; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This holiday season, I feel really blessed to have my health and my happiness in the company of my amazing friends and family and am looking forward to the many adventures that lay ahead in 2012.</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #4F6228; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wishing you a holiday season filled with peace, love, and happiness.</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #4F6228; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Love always,</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #4F6228; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kim</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #4f6228; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #4F6228; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent3; mso-themecolor: accent3; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></b></div>Fuel Factor Nutrition Coachinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637582866021825471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940277109063130616.post-19258195973028773362011-10-25T17:39:00.000-07:002011-10-25T18:08:29.022-07:00Honoring Jon "JT" Tumilson & America's Bravest, Part IIPrior to heading out to Chicago for Bank of America's Let's Run Together charity relay, I was proud to have the opportunity to speak with <a href="http://www.kusi.com/video?clipId=6317816&autostart=true">Brad Perry of KUSI</a> about <a href="http://www.3minutesout.org/">JT</a>, <a href="http://www.gotyourbacknetwork.org/">Got Your Back Network</a>, and the experience I was about to embark on. Brad Perry was a lot of fun to work with. While I have a ton of experience speaking to large groups, I don't have much experience speaking with a video camera zoomed in on me. Sharing some Chi-town stories with Brad prior to being faced with the camera really helped to break the ice and allow me to feel more at ease. <span class="Apple-style-span">Would love to do it again!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span><br />
<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrP6wCR1b1ngkfWD7aUkffhCQvHk2A3c36hUQ1hY4OZju9LnBbahTE8g84qMq9YOz4O8ZLOD3lVwmS-iFrGh3scvR0AzWqABVoXBaH-6ptJ7M3SCFayX-C-mwoZlyBAcCJ9RPJXTOgGbCw/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-10-23+at+7.52.14+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrP6wCR1b1ngkfWD7aUkffhCQvHk2A3c36hUQ1hY4OZju9LnBbahTE8g84qMq9YOz4O8ZLOD3lVwmS-iFrGh3scvR0AzWqABVoXBaH-6ptJ7M3SCFayX-C-mwoZlyBAcCJ9RPJXTOgGbCw/s320/Screen+shot+2011-10-23+at+7.52.14+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next day, I was flown out to Chicago where I was greeted by my good friend Vicki who accompanied me into the city for a fun day on the town complete with my fav: <a href="http://ginoseast1.reachlocal.net/flash.html">Gino's East</a> famous Chicago-style stuffed spinach pizza. Yum! Vicki also used Chicago Marathon to raise funds for charity, specifically <a href="http://www.fortheloveofmckenna.org/">For the Love of McKenna</a>, which helps provide care for 4 year old McKenna Tyszkiewicz, who was born with an extremely rare chromosome disorder that leaves her medically challenged but not without heart.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGEmGu_jgXAfrZST_0CPUr1Z9ISqOaQTL4q1nsQyswvrKikcBhfNgAst9-fw9BWWscG77hDtWtuVXLH4GmOvJrBa8oAB8_YGi5rHamQ-S36AoBaoFjaEG8x9f06plgslveCHV1wgrUKQL/s1600/IMG_1844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGEmGu_jgXAfrZST_0CPUr1Z9ISqOaQTL4q1nsQyswvrKikcBhfNgAst9-fw9BWWscG77hDtWtuVXLH4GmOvJrBa8oAB8_YGi5rHamQ-S36AoBaoFjaEG8x9f06plgslveCHV1wgrUKQL/s320/IMG_1844.JPG" width="218" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJfTzTfouu6edCwjKMXjIBIdz2qmZDJ7nTMQUff-vcU_9uN49kk0IHm4ooEqaL36VIiVAtu3G1gWRqDA3T5XSLVZqLrOcuOGMZEgLS0lchQbALmnvXWeCXgzIk7nIuL2YE7BVKy7nHyH0/s1600/IMG_1838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJfTzTfouu6edCwjKMXjIBIdz2qmZDJ7nTMQUff-vcU_9uN49kk0IHm4ooEqaL36VIiVAtu3G1gWRqDA3T5XSLVZqLrOcuOGMZEgLS0lchQbALmnvXWeCXgzIk7nIuL2YE7BVKy7nHyH0/s320/IMG_1838.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After having some fun in the city, it was back to my digs for the next several nights at the <a href="http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/CHICHHH-Hilton-Chicago-Illinois/index.do">Chicago Hilton</a>, the host hotel of the Chicago Marathon. I had a pretty sweet view of Chicago's famous skyscraper Willis, formerly known as "Sears", Tower, which was illuminated in pink in honor of <a href="http://www.nbcam.org/">Breast Cancer Awareness Month</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43WzVCgyhtwQAbhnmjhHUJoEbKQHc6GWGgH8j0TBI4cLKr-As2PxcTpTLyqeDAbH48di51gFosErsZAWHd9eYDKBCt-E8XAzhPseFOJRTHwu7Ecmp6CQRKYnOHg17m0IA8eMniofL94jX/s1600/hotelview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43WzVCgyhtwQAbhnmjhHUJoEbKQHc6GWGgH8j0TBI4cLKr-As2PxcTpTLyqeDAbH48di51gFosErsZAWHd9eYDKBCt-E8XAzhPseFOJRTHwu7Ecmp6CQRKYnOHg17m0IA8eMniofL94jX/s320/hotelview.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I went to bed that night, I could hardly contain my excitement about the press conference that lay ahead and more importantly, the opportunity to share JT's story as well as meet the other <a href="http://www.chicagomarathon.com/CMS400Min/Chicago_Marathon/runner_information/index.aspx?id=17155">charity runners</a> including <a href="http://www.ussoccer.com/Teams/WNT/M/Alex-Morgan.aspx">Alex Morgan</a>, <a href="http://www.ussoccer.com/Teams/WNT/W/Abby-Wambach.aspx">Abby Wambach</a>, and <a href="http://www.ussoccer.com/Teams/WNT/S/Hope-Solo.aspx">Hope Solo</a> of the US Women's soccer team.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>The Press Conference</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After taking advantage of a nice swim at the Hilton gym, it was off to press conference where the charity relay was officially introduced to the media by Bank of America Illinois State President, Tim Maloney, as well as given props by Chicago Marathon RD, <a href="http://timeoutchicago.com/things-to-do/69125/bank-of-america-2011-chicago-marathon-race-director">Carey Pinkowski</a> and the Mayor of Chicago, <a href="http://www.cityofchicago.org/content/city/en/depts/mayor.html">Rahm Emmanuel</a> pictured below with Abby Wambach.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtYE-Xv5gwGhOpSYQ7yy4mkP-jQ_nL7xBX-7aDzi1oNJmS70w6MLhtc4jda7vJfDRqkscJ2UEgxJR-rn3yXu1QzyWW3LIM7LBvpdrXst0HfJds9Ms8_fappBb38cY6VJ37pjnszDk9Ci1/s1600/IMG_1855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtYE-Xv5gwGhOpSYQ7yy4mkP-jQ_nL7xBX-7aDzi1oNJmS70w6MLhtc4jda7vJfDRqkscJ2UEgxJR-rn3yXu1QzyWW3LIM7LBvpdrXst0HfJds9Ms8_fappBb38cY6VJ37pjnszDk9Ci1/s320/IMG_1855.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcBEjMhGnmr66QgirZ9VW22Yu1gVzqZUP4c5CBrOUooYO4_lhgYevFm4vrxAuNIlsSHT9D5EAciGjV_IZE66xHBFysnU1xAJCxenzMDMrWDDcElqF9lUyYkPWt5oz6R2gdmq5hnINHuVr/s1600/IMG_1858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcBEjMhGnmr66QgirZ9VW22Yu1gVzqZUP4c5CBrOUooYO4_lhgYevFm4vrxAuNIlsSHT9D5EAciGjV_IZE66xHBFysnU1xAJCxenzMDMrWDDcElqF9lUyYkPWt5oz6R2gdmq5hnINHuVr/s320/IMG_1858.JPG" width="204" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-Da-y8XTEvh5snY0VEMvpZyH9y70gsNt-9Y3OBw3014KaDjTj7qumKFT-XYKfpIXCLzIB8VNuNH011nACwb-yhmjRmSCDBb-yfGe8pIDNFOdcJ_qnEGF4o5eD_gThDOwgntqWvuYJMDa/s1600/pressconf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-Da-y8XTEvh5snY0VEMvpZyH9y70gsNt-9Y3OBw3014KaDjTj7qumKFT-XYKfpIXCLzIB8VNuNH011nACwb-yhmjRmSCDBb-yfGe8pIDNFOdcJ_qnEGF4o5eD_gThDOwgntqWvuYJMDa/s320/pressconf.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A great shot of my fellow charity runners at the press conference can be seen in the following album posted on the Bank of America Chicago Marathon website: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.chicagomarathon.com/CMS400Min/chicago_marathon/inspiration/photos/index.aspx?id=14119">Bank of America Chicago Marathon | Gain Inspiration | Video Clips</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Among the inspiring people I got to meet include (please check out the websites for information on how to help):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pat Arbor of Chicago, IL representing <a href="http://www.mercyhome.org/">Mercy Home for Boys & Girls</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKWaNPK4-G8ZBQjXF5TGpXOW2q-yPDeCh4TVS4bhP6_BOJ4IiDZRfJzRS3tActpfJ_nl-s0a56e_54QxE3t_6BtpLaqLArB-4Fk8DZwMjDccZaVnIHhHBzR-kDd1CSWutBnlGoG74Smec/s1600/IMG_1950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKWaNPK4-G8ZBQjXF5TGpXOW2q-yPDeCh4TVS4bhP6_BOJ4IiDZRfJzRS3tActpfJ_nl-s0a56e_54QxE3t_6BtpLaqLArB-4Fk8DZwMjDccZaVnIHhHBzR-kDd1CSWutBnlGoG74Smec/s320/IMG_1950.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hailey Danisewicz of Evanston, IL representing <a href="http://glasa.org/">Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWV4TRnbj4MDQ8SE_CkJHK7SOIlM46jSFt68x1nyCpcuSjnQu4kw_A4-JADDihwpCEygUNsHyqY-5vaI-LE21Ja4hba3PpuzHCt9_MMUgGuDEGI2b0mzBEujJO5xFmxyZM2p0kr1RYuEGW/s1600/IMG_1960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWV4TRnbj4MDQ8SE_CkJHK7SOIlM46jSFt68x1nyCpcuSjnQu4kw_A4-JADDihwpCEygUNsHyqY-5vaI-LE21Ja4hba3PpuzHCt9_MMUgGuDEGI2b0mzBEujJO5xFmxyZM2p0kr1RYuEGW/s320/IMG_1960.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Chad Doellinger of Oak Brook, IL representing <a href="http://ww5.komen.org/">Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbtCDbc9Krtpc1Eul8e88nmu1w09wvT4PkdH_bCWmT9d-bBrBuEVh69D7BZfFgo0xM8sdswZ-Heww1uU19OAuuohaKmIsQ5uBHVPa5KAY7uLr5WX9aBkm1fEA9Esri-jJe64Q9UTa1UgI/s1600/IMG_1968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbtCDbc9Krtpc1Eul8e88nmu1w09wvT4PkdH_bCWmT9d-bBrBuEVh69D7BZfFgo0xM8sdswZ-Heww1uU19OAuuohaKmIsQ5uBHVPa5KAY7uLr5WX9aBkm1fEA9Esri-jJe64Q9UTa1UgI/s320/IMG_1968.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wayne Drash of Atlanta, GA representing the <a href="http://www.cancer.org/">American Cancer Society</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqx-nza4IfKCCRKCemxmEnQf38U8wTX1osF5L9Qqj0_3OgIawKq0V08LTA7Ihlm7W9DMKyRYGXknaYpBFBGN6HYVcM8v1UMCcFNYhxJzOtf5LrflT661lmFnImgeKn2LXtSNEnM_HIuns/s1600/ry%253D400-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqx-nza4IfKCCRKCemxmEnQf38U8wTX1osF5L9Qqj0_3OgIawKq0V08LTA7Ihlm7W9DMKyRYGXknaYpBFBGN6HYVcM8v1UMCcFNYhxJzOtf5LrflT661lmFnImgeKn2LXtSNEnM_HIuns/s320/ry%253D400-1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Christie Galvin of Orlanda, FL representing <a href="http://www.relayforlife.org/">American Cancer Society Relay for Life</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxO5ZlZbLDrdCiFn1pR3kNwXhZzbs_svSIbr7K2Qd8Vv0DAg7wGM6m3pgqlEQKbezdGQuM70tZAcJnbYEwmpeyaKUmCONT-lljJ6V8kZhDxniBmuvAAT_kTLAwHinZuTAINBdD1wWRH2iC/s1600/IMG_1862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxO5ZlZbLDrdCiFn1pR3kNwXhZzbs_svSIbr7K2Qd8Vv0DAg7wGM6m3pgqlEQKbezdGQuM70tZAcJnbYEwmpeyaKUmCONT-lljJ6V8kZhDxniBmuvAAT_kTLAwHinZuTAINBdD1wWRH2iC/s320/IMG_1862.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Scott Herrick of Gurnee, IL representing the <a href="http://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/site/PageServer">Greater Chicago Food Depository</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSWCStCJ_i-_2OErTJLIfAEoiIma9Bg9frAJqqtKiTwaX3CWFQw75ECLiUyxjM2perN_EuQvicSy1TQ6kcqqu1Y5dreT_aWmBEm-D-kw_YIFh_OKcZZBv3OY32ec3q57r-GUZSj4GABTy/s1600/scottherrick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSWCStCJ_i-_2OErTJLIfAEoiIma9Bg9frAJqqtKiTwaX3CWFQw75ECLiUyxjM2perN_EuQvicSy1TQ6kcqqu1Y5dreT_aWmBEm-D-kw_YIFh_OKcZZBv3OY32ec3q57r-GUZSj4GABTy/s320/scottherrick.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Joe Jasnosz of Yorkville, IL representing the<a href="http://kanecountytriad.com/"> Kendall County Triad</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYBfBgIjRoRgo-_v-_j5u8fHJ_IwU5eBQSkf6991-o_I-Vpo4-n8zW8dhLvv4QYwfxRUbg6auKhnrjLlXQ4dI-OQoRyLxPG3UH0GPUbugToHyKGPFBM6_4tKGy20RfC3SF3NhkDKfujw0/s1600/ry%253D480.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYBfBgIjRoRgo-_v-_j5u8fHJ_IwU5eBQSkf6991-o_I-Vpo4-n8zW8dhLvv4QYwfxRUbg6auKhnrjLlXQ4dI-OQoRyLxPG3UH0GPUbugToHyKGPFBM6_4tKGy20RfC3SF3NhkDKfujw0/s320/ry%253D480.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dylan Kwait of Brooklyn, NY representing the <a href="http://cdp.mightywork.com/">Chicago Diabetes Project</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCviXJlCuGoOr_SZwCgBw4SubvH4RNfI0YAbAGpTNY0OHfnZVMCLvrgyw1N1C2_-r5ElOwVI4eYPiyUds6jzigQp1WJsFduLFYLXNK7pW3GOW4wGhlA1zXZSryHUSQLlTCeh3HOo4eBjH/s1600/ry%253D480-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCviXJlCuGoOr_SZwCgBw4SubvH4RNfI0YAbAGpTNY0OHfnZVMCLvrgyw1N1C2_-r5ElOwVI4eYPiyUds6jzigQp1WJsFduLFYLXNK7pW3GOW4wGhlA1zXZSryHUSQLlTCeh3HOo4eBjH/s320/ry%253D480-1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dori Luke of Matthews, NC representing <a href="http://www.girlsontherun.org/">Girls on the Run, Inc.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRPnUbngcM2HhZA-VzGInee7Nvv9y_AE2K60UwV6y-_q1W6a-F2Yt6Ob7BVnj7AcWf3G3_BhodeoKMuG74R2LkhvWPcfow36d37cNcuqI0RYCUmvPfIKm21zwCqHaqbyj1ql_KXrNcJSq/s1600/IMG_1870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRPnUbngcM2HhZA-VzGInee7Nvv9y_AE2K60UwV6y-_q1W6a-F2Yt6Ob7BVnj7AcWf3G3_BhodeoKMuG74R2LkhvWPcfow36d37cNcuqI0RYCUmvPfIKm21zwCqHaqbyj1ql_KXrNcJSq/s320/IMG_1870.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Danielle Maglinte of Evanston, IL representing <a href="http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/">American Heart Association</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-nlK9rTKTzua9Pq5rZIm1J94-muZpDr6KBXJiOfBpFmoP1_82KkG041IP-_PV8OYKo8BZVWCv3Z1MSdcQy1RNzLkHSx5ctZ47CBZiKf0eFPlLJzQUrSE8hjrjs3IOmS_LH0rch-pelgwA/s1600/IMG_1970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-nlK9rTKTzua9Pq5rZIm1J94-muZpDr6KBXJiOfBpFmoP1_82KkG041IP-_PV8OYKo8BZVWCv3Z1MSdcQy1RNzLkHSx5ctZ47CBZiKf0eFPlLJzQUrSE8hjrjs3IOmS_LH0rch-pelgwA/s320/IMG_1970.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Susan Taylor of Spring Grove, IL representing <a href="http://www.upsfordowns.com/home.aspx">UPS for DownS</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyE7F5FCovQObo1gF2CSZyZ0dxwe-Dp98MHVYr-i05d9m4WpFN3vGbhRYv51Y7iTXpCj8IHI45wN3TzXwMmu4hlOTLH-TZhhUho0eltZt4SRicm4Zo07bhfAgaAXffKptfaQea8_cTZNse/s1600/IMG_1966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyE7F5FCovQObo1gF2CSZyZ0dxwe-Dp98MHVYr-i05d9m4WpFN3vGbhRYv51Y7iTXpCj8IHI45wN3TzXwMmu4hlOTLH-TZhhUho0eltZt4SRicm4Zo07bhfAgaAXffKptfaQea8_cTZNse/s320/IMG_1966.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">James Tiller of Mooresville, NC representing the <a href="http://childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org/">Childrens Miracle Network</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9SwynQShI_xxf8GYCJc24wPkdq5yOgIthUU_ODAGYi_fWLgKnBrRudKxUrHwVRVLPtKVlhEb2hWI69oVTby0XpM5Liplzf5KN6_7Cd5468qo3AxfPgIioR59H_QkW-6Oa34tuo7FYKjX/s1600/IMG_1959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9SwynQShI_xxf8GYCJc24wPkdq5yOgIthUU_ODAGYi_fWLgKnBrRudKxUrHwVRVLPtKVlhEb2hWI69oVTby0XpM5Liplzf5KN6_7Cd5468qo3AxfPgIioR59H_QkW-6Oa34tuo7FYKjX/s320/IMG_1959.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The press conference served as a great opportunity to share JT's story as well as educate others about <a href="http://www.gotyourbacknetwork.org/">Got Your Back Network</a> with several members of the media. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the press conference, I caught up with <a href="http://www.facebook.com/wshulik">Wendy Shulik</a> of <a href="http://vimeo.com/wendycitypro">Wendy City Productions</a>, who interviewed me about my experiences running down my dream of qualifying for the Marathon Olympic Trials. There are a handful of females in the same boat as me, trying to qualify while juggling other obligations whether it be a full time job, motherhood, or a combination of the two. Miles and Trials is a story about these women. Check out the sweet footage that Wendy has shot to date and shall you like to be a part of the project, please contact her. The interview with Wendy was a lot of fun and I look forward to seeing the finished product.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqxeQiLbfYVVpYDdSzCIyuxAUkqlpEL0RGd0Qfd83IKFk9XwmaymYDsT0kjk0xr0VpYwc26kXsXzcdAaamPz_b6diP8DtdGutSSKy4kZ_R7AjzX-2a_AFkeq13ni6Tgz9I-9SixfKNUnU/s1600/wendyi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqxeQiLbfYVVpYDdSzCIyuxAUkqlpEL0RGd0Qfd83IKFk9XwmaymYDsT0kjk0xr0VpYwc26kXsXzcdAaamPz_b6diP8DtdGutSSKy4kZ_R7AjzX-2a_AFkeq13ni6Tgz9I-9SixfKNUnU/s320/wendyi.jpg" width="167" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Before I knew it, the day was coming to a close but the night was bound to be a fun mother-daughter adventure in the city complete with good eats and enjoying Chi-town's amazing architecture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mfRPDWm6pvyGJ0e-ifB1AcDHtxNxdU8mWoY_zT8nUzn_khstMx_Qp5X0wLfgu-OjvzYezDeAw42V0OZX_OE8NlGrlIaaXFukfjQ1al2JUdq0-ZyzTOoW8c8lbYozNdbhWNMyD-Z6ZH5z/s1600/IMG_1873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mfRPDWm6pvyGJ0e-ifB1AcDHtxNxdU8mWoY_zT8nUzn_khstMx_Qp5X0wLfgu-OjvzYezDeAw42V0OZX_OE8NlGrlIaaXFukfjQ1al2JUdq0-ZyzTOoW8c8lbYozNdbhWNMyD-Z6ZH5z/s320/IMG_1873.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBeTXqinUCdp1bQV9cSVu7YYuoEIN3CjQ9vsQP3is5cqzBHMtNQiF11kqZKs7-qwz-Z4QxQnNGYbbQwqnrxl1tcd8YbB-sv5DCNVAYt4HQMMN8Vn3ZIg6FlOzRxLB1_r9lS3zwvk1xLZO/s1600/IMG_1878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBeTXqinUCdp1bQV9cSVu7YYuoEIN3CjQ9vsQP3is5cqzBHMtNQiF11kqZKs7-qwz-Z4QxQnNGYbbQwqnrxl1tcd8YbB-sv5DCNVAYt4HQMMN8Vn3ZIg6FlOzRxLB1_r9lS3zwvk1xLZO/s320/IMG_1878.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoWNCycE5hteHFTnUS3fkkm3KJcUp1m7AUlVeJJrwbz6iCFhRX0Q0SZjn0Os1FvRXUdA8mPjINyLySukZ6eaX3C5Bc2q_aNzUdTuynevmkFdvPFCMZb6GmVvvWoMg-wZzWHlP7LQCdIzo/s1600/IMG_1883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoWNCycE5hteHFTnUS3fkkm3KJcUp1m7AUlVeJJrwbz6iCFhRX0Q0SZjn0Os1FvRXUdA8mPjINyLySukZ6eaX3C5Bc2q_aNzUdTuynevmkFdvPFCMZb6GmVvvWoMg-wZzWHlP7LQCdIzo/s320/IMG_1883.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQlDb2OGYVhf1bYOF_mxLhgQ_UMpCDs08nisS5oDfHGBS7LjL8BJliJwwrrMr8Cp-5xYvdYcq5kGzw0AAP0a7e7d12cFj4p_pbqVsnT15cGz2jILpwkCFZkGgMbt47i8y9YAcr24dTcC5/s1600/IMG_1877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQlDb2OGYVhf1bYOF_mxLhgQ_UMpCDs08nisS5oDfHGBS7LjL8BJliJwwrrMr8Cp-5xYvdYcq5kGzw0AAP0a7e7d12cFj4p_pbqVsnT15cGz2jILpwkCFZkGgMbt47i8y9YAcr24dTcC5/s320/IMG_1877.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a fun night on the town, it was off to check out the scenes of the Chicago Marathon expo with both my mom and my friend Vicki. Marathon expos are essentially all the same but now that I've been active in the sport for a good 20 years, it is a fun venture because I inevitably bump into a bunch of people I know as well as make a few new friends. Thanks to my friends at <a href="http://www.sweatybands.com/">Sweaty Bands</a> with setting me up with a sweet lineup of bands for my weekend adventure in Chicago!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5dV_D0ocKzZ1zTunRFc58UyUD_JSOU2OyT1gM-hDuIjL7UhTFOb1DPzcZoWi1ifG_8SI16b41mWEeoMXW0YvzKyXCy0C5FoDtLF_pY_FK-ZHseRcN86NdJJgdfJhb0PlxAClX8IS_g1-/s1600/IMG_1894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5dV_D0ocKzZ1zTunRFc58UyUD_JSOU2OyT1gM-hDuIjL7UhTFOb1DPzcZoWi1ifG_8SI16b41mWEeoMXW0YvzKyXCy0C5FoDtLF_pY_FK-ZHseRcN86NdJJgdfJhb0PlxAClX8IS_g1-/s320/IMG_1894.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEiUEm45iM1BB_CKYTimh1RzTHDyKr9EJrivUofI7E9gu0HFP_4t5GylxLFOXtysCYoXoe_waTfsxDiGZSeuogcon1lWoSXXBgJzlXTUQQTR6RNQhrMq8YY4hxjI2tATmNlr-3ag8h2Oj6/s1600/IMG_1896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEiUEm45iM1BB_CKYTimh1RzTHDyKr9EJrivUofI7E9gu0HFP_4t5GylxLFOXtysCYoXoe_waTfsxDiGZSeuogcon1lWoSXXBgJzlXTUQQTR6RNQhrMq8YY4hxjI2tATmNlr-3ag8h2Oj6/s320/IMG_1896.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZAqynCzhuhXbbCCd3DLqq0Ic9ql699i4OOvJhRtsF10p-KgpWV2SClxSGWM5hAhjDYnLGuUK5v3lvREKnlRJgShcMClOZHZCwRGoQW1fuAkJeVZEnSbbOuK0XELNpDr811KJnseyv3Qv/s1600/IMG_1898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZAqynCzhuhXbbCCd3DLqq0Ic9ql699i4OOvJhRtsF10p-KgpWV2SClxSGWM5hAhjDYnLGuUK5v3lvREKnlRJgShcMClOZHZCwRGoQW1fuAkJeVZEnSbbOuK0XELNpDr811KJnseyv3Qv/s320/IMG_1898.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Later, it was off to meet my friends Amy & Ben who flew out from Virginia Beach with their cutie Lulu in Greek town. Ben is a Seal brother of JT, another bad ass valiantly serving for the better of our country, and Amy was like a sister to JT, someone I met through common friends and a mutual love for the game of soccer. Love them both. Also joining us were Ben & Amy's friends Sergio and Danny, Wendy, and her friends Aaron & Justin. Food was outstanding but sharing stories and raising the toast to JT in the presence of great friends was priceless. Never will forget it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflzNC6rJh06KQ6-7ZzfPBtV4k5LZ6pPzZcVCuX4mLYaKf-KhDmENYej_baEv3p6bngcQXVjWWfXRSx3PdibphLCvw7pG0ljkE_wIuh-4hHPXIBde_6CVl9s8_I5Jw4KHtx4iv2CSMPbfo/s1600/IMG_1902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflzNC6rJh06KQ6-7ZzfPBtV4k5LZ6pPzZcVCuX4mLYaKf-KhDmENYej_baEv3p6bngcQXVjWWfXRSx3PdibphLCvw7pG0ljkE_wIuh-4hHPXIBde_6CVl9s8_I5Jw4KHtx4iv2CSMPbfo/s320/IMG_1902.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Saturday included some down time to explore the gorgeous city (may be a bit impartial but check out the lakefront view and I dare you to disagree!) as well as get the pre-race briefing as a charity runner and take advantage of my VIP status at the tasty carb-lovers buffet at the Hilton with my friend Lisa, who, just 4 weeks post Ironman, was taking on 26.2. Total studette!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhOwMdKIcivnw7cyfDCXsYiEWjJ2y0wdEtQUgKeBxyh1n1fYdmLORG4ptelCGF5Jq8E87mQwd_3IeB5xyA6jd4cjUGiVraVqy3EJ3QKIlQpIcSc1MKTIWuXGhymoS8Zxbz93cYG3b3Vgm/s1600/IMG_1904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhOwMdKIcivnw7cyfDCXsYiEWjJ2y0wdEtQUgKeBxyh1n1fYdmLORG4ptelCGF5Jq8E87mQwd_3IeB5xyA6jd4cjUGiVraVqy3EJ3QKIlQpIcSc1MKTIWuXGhymoS8Zxbz93cYG3b3Vgm/s320/IMG_1904.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since the charity crew had a mandatory 4:30am pre-race meeting, checking out the Sat night scene was out of the question. Just can't function in a sleep deprived state anymore and I wanted to soak in every moment of this experience. To bed I went and that alarm clock, not surprisingly, caught me a bit off guard. As soon as I remembered what day it was, I had no problem bolting up and joining the crew in the Hilton lobby for some caffeine and pre-event excitement.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOa7hlv9S-lRJsjot7C73xfD_fSo831gVYsHbY3xzh5dK-aI3n_PcpVjqJljZIxw-1AF6z9Jna9-ZwXfbylrYHIL3A26V_3a1Pj6fjz21OVqomvSmIx_304fLcbakVxWxBMbeyup-fZNEH/s1600/ry%253D400.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOa7hlv9S-lRJsjot7C73xfD_fSo831gVYsHbY3xzh5dK-aI3n_PcpVjqJljZIxw-1AF6z9Jna9-ZwXfbylrYHIL3A26V_3a1Pj6fjz21OVqomvSmIx_304fLcbakVxWxBMbeyup-fZNEH/s320/ry%253D400.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaWE18RUvXwisYViFunmpkJkEGjDxkwqbdU6VNaEPAjaE5dXpZtPkUvBzAGrNkVAtortQd23PtGGVQVK_zA1w6TSsvpXMVxlrvPSSZQv19R2R5PEn7EdC0cp57umS4nUDiM-hyPt6ARKi/s1600/racebib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaWE18RUvXwisYViFunmpkJkEGjDxkwqbdU6VNaEPAjaE5dXpZtPkUvBzAGrNkVAtortQd23PtGGVQVK_zA1w6TSsvpXMVxlrvPSSZQv19R2R5PEn7EdC0cp57umS4nUDiM-hyPt6ARKi/s320/racebib.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then we were off to meet up with Abby, Alex, and Hope and prepare ourselves for more media frenzy before we joined our handlers (the awesome volunteers who helped us out) on a trek to our respective relay leg locations.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOOfmbQHB1TAnq8Z6WbT2an5drrst3wJNmhnAUnSIzJOHCjDFUS2UHu4uh91mE7ui5Clb7BTw7HvNoS_HmLknqRmM3diVA4bIKs5HAZErZuF5vUdetXnq_w81wpdJFAi1UmFVHuFwR5Wb/s1600/ry%253D480-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOOfmbQHB1TAnq8Z6WbT2an5drrst3wJNmhnAUnSIzJOHCjDFUS2UHu4uh91mE7ui5Clb7BTw7HvNoS_HmLknqRmM3diVA4bIKs5HAZErZuF5vUdetXnq_w81wpdJFAi1UmFVHuFwR5Wb/s320/ry%253D480-2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yAXdefnhu8zQJFyP34R4k5efWWtGI7aNCXuPf9wVFyIeWGvGvxn-YswP0dQG5i3vrdWdGhpOudkwK9gs46T9Scq4rVdrnHw3nk-Qu2VScX0FaaBKPRkKeecHkAUrvSKCcxWbefo44by2/s1600/ry%253D480-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yAXdefnhu8zQJFyP34R4k5efWWtGI7aNCXuPf9wVFyIeWGvGvxn-YswP0dQG5i3vrdWdGhpOudkwK9gs46T9Scq4rVdrnHw3nk-Qu2VScX0FaaBKPRkKeecHkAUrvSKCcxWbefo44by2/s320/ry%253D480-4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0M9f5XWEgM3TAo7mR7FxSJRaVXaHUOpqK9Y3LlImBnDV4It7HUZNOzAksRo1dYy6UitoGxZcHioPYpPz4i5E5RfDCGNrAmsld1rSoPBfOrqOtHqNFswZKrL915nwLkmOFTxnZxjyuSCw/s1600/ry%253D480-5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0M9f5XWEgM3TAo7mR7FxSJRaVXaHUOpqK9Y3LlImBnDV4It7HUZNOzAksRo1dYy6UitoGxZcHioPYpPz4i5E5RfDCGNrAmsld1rSoPBfOrqOtHqNFswZKrL915nwLkmOFTxnZxjyuSCw/s320/ry%253D480-5.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFGjs3qmy2qX45BSqx6EoAM3sL0zdl-qgoXOkVK3iFRlj31JDFsgifvFQB7pApV0hsVOq1L7Kfmup9P_KV7XyNjWv00Rl7UImlGqiKAaLe4RTwCrK6c782dE_05lX5vlCiX9JqTir9WAV/s1600/ry%253D480.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFGjs3qmy2qX45BSqx6EoAM3sL0zdl-qgoXOkVK3iFRlj31JDFsgifvFQB7pApV0hsVOq1L7Kfmup9P_KV7XyNjWv00Rl7UImlGqiKAaLe4RTwCrK6c782dE_05lX5vlCiX9JqTir9WAV/s320/ry%253D480.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzdj9aiFn-AHM1ELpPyEOfSr1wBeG0Vql4lZYL8yo3ywHy66i4VgpUJw5wH2a82ucI14bfk4yBFP9g_ahAFuQwlB013bOUZj6Omsr-5BB4oFPhVhJfk6ii-ACKzjXWU1ltxOrl88hrUIL/s1600/IMG_1925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzdj9aiFn-AHM1ELpPyEOfSr1wBeG0Vql4lZYL8yo3ywHy66i4VgpUJw5wH2a82ucI14bfk4yBFP9g_ahAFuQwlB013bOUZj6Omsr-5BB4oFPhVhJfk6ii-ACKzjXWU1ltxOrl88hrUIL/s320/IMG_1925.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYstNEqfM_Z-WLZpQckuiIeyt6Vu0FK2DL9OpSPvrZ7vTC3ZygKBDaCpHGXllZMclug7ztkBzM9ts4cl_yhZhPr5t2yxHTLRZZfRIDgSVmUvcNVZ0vHLlmafcxrOm8eVfSgch6e83A5GC1/s1600/ry%253D480-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYstNEqfM_Z-WLZpQckuiIeyt6Vu0FK2DL9OpSPvrZ7vTC3ZygKBDaCpHGXllZMclug7ztkBzM9ts4cl_yhZhPr5t2yxHTLRZZfRIDgSVmUvcNVZ0vHLlmafcxrOm8eVfSgch6e83A5GC1/s320/ry%253D480-1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My handler, Jeff, and I headed off to mile 10 where we later met up with Alex Morgan who was running my 2 mile leg with me. Jeff was a blast to hang out with as we watched the elite runners go by while waiting for our relay runner to tag me. He is planning a "Million Dollar Marathon" where he is striving to gather a million dollars that he'll use to fundraise for a variety of different charities. So cool and can't wait to support his awesome adventure next year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FTpgSMKNIyPHunW86kFpPBrt5W0tMfqeGfV0JeWNlLvh2IceitkJTS2Yh7MkuXTHoLr4kZlIKpSOInLAQR1jUSrr6pBN6TvqxkH823VGk_PiVlPLzJfelpeRZllCOzs_cTToBx57NT_K/s1600/IMG_1936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FTpgSMKNIyPHunW86kFpPBrt5W0tMfqeGfV0JeWNlLvh2IceitkJTS2Yh7MkuXTHoLr4kZlIKpSOInLAQR1jUSrr6pBN6TvqxkH823VGk_PiVlPLzJfelpeRZllCOzs_cTToBx57NT_K/s320/IMG_1936.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3D9CTs_f6wPbtCOgAKNMRJvCYAoygysW7FpqFk81aS6wd8FCD2WwMiIK268wmxXdIWydsaqFNnT-oAuuajM8Fic5nbZnHPuLXITmKxnXjQfCB5-zIXdDlwXcu-F9TReWOSqCwekHvXno/s1600/mile10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3D9CTs_f6wPbtCOgAKNMRJvCYAoygysW7FpqFk81aS6wd8FCD2WwMiIK268wmxXdIWydsaqFNnT-oAuuajM8Fic5nbZnHPuLXITmKxnXjQfCB5-zIXdDlwXcu-F9TReWOSqCwekHvXno/s320/mile10.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ulf27oTeD7JqaLL0QgqBIX79QyYvxB1lEQQoX54aVHfK4cIbUQRbgcboWfdnhcVtT7xGbg53m623TbmPHBtWRTqcof-BI3JD-OPl1Pgx29jT4Jc3yYTfEP96cTmxjBXMU7i80haGUToe/s1600/IMG_1940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ulf27oTeD7JqaLL0QgqBIX79QyYvxB1lEQQoX54aVHfK4cIbUQRbgcboWfdnhcVtT7xGbg53m623TbmPHBtWRTqcof-BI3JD-OPl1Pgx29jT4Jc3yYTfEP96cTmxjBXMU7i80haGUToe/s320/IMG_1940.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Before I knew it, Alex and I were joining hands for a 2 mile leg, which I ended up extending another 14.2 miles. Yeah, I'm crazy but as a marathoner, you already know that. Lol. I thought it would be more fun being out in the midst of other racers and chatting with my fellow charity runners than waiting at home base, aka, the finishline. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZsG5-aP8qndc6i3eERpi4n3_5P0xJ8eqibxcCkeKUGu9HrmMRlzo5XxYgZ0lMqsCTmw3k81OFrUeRP0qCLY37GUNAPsMeE3ws98JBVDgVoP_M3R9DXWTCZW9P1_C9kg8DlO62gaCyR_p/s1600/IMG_1942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZsG5-aP8qndc6i3eERpi4n3_5P0xJ8eqibxcCkeKUGu9HrmMRlzo5XxYgZ0lMqsCTmw3k81OFrUeRP0qCLY37GUNAPsMeE3ws98JBVDgVoP_M3R9DXWTCZW9P1_C9kg8DlO62gaCyR_p/s320/IMG_1942.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndinuatDYKRu4cy1oNl9sQCLKCdffyepmoS5EskX43yI9gDFN0oul6Mng8JtZqIRi0sQbT3kQi8RXk8AccTx4MY3HTMT4ay-GB2KP-02Y7quMVTer0R7FUF5QtZ-lpz3lDf_kEo86pq2I/s1600/IMG_1954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndinuatDYKRu4cy1oNl9sQCLKCdffyepmoS5EskX43yI9gDFN0oul6Mng8JtZqIRi0sQbT3kQi8RXk8AccTx4MY3HTMT4ay-GB2KP-02Y7quMVTer0R7FUF5QtZ-lpz3lDf_kEo86pq2I/s320/IMG_1954.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbxKyyQuBCvORiSzeaswFx-3K3_asNRvtNIk2l7MSHOfoeOEezOttFoM_OuAIbL5I4M8kILy84wkq09o6SbmVeCqEVmbS-CuSRiV3D38Apdg5hsaZeo6QQeMbVPA4ZhpnfUFu0y0Ys27g/s1600/IMG_1971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbxKyyQuBCvORiSzeaswFx-3K3_asNRvtNIk2l7MSHOfoeOEezOttFoM_OuAIbL5I4M8kILy84wkq09o6SbmVeCqEVmbS-CuSRiV3D38Apdg5hsaZeo6QQeMbVPA4ZhpnfUFu0y0Ys27g/s320/IMG_1971.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmBzMF6np4EYRTF1XUwncin_vleFcb_ZQh0SRsXH6AYN2jfpLi4zTxFDEih2yzsQCQW-uGYBepQCs_UxbYgnoQuvcfo7yq0k389-6ClgmRQkPiLEbN8yUVf2T9ci5dT65XdAHO3WAGdjW/s1600/IMG_1973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmBzMF6np4EYRTF1XUwncin_vleFcb_ZQh0SRsXH6AYN2jfpLi4zTxFDEih2yzsQCQW-uGYBepQCs_UxbYgnoQuvcfo7yq0k389-6ClgmRQkPiLEbN8yUVf2T9ci5dT65XdAHO3WAGdjW/s320/IMG_1973.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In case you are wondering, yes, I carried my camera for 16.2 miles but it was worth it. As the group convened at mile 26 miles to run the last 0.2 miles in as a team, the race announcer called out all of our names. The moment we all crossed the finish line, I looked up to the blue skies and knew JT and his fallen brothers were smiling from above. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJ47a_EKn4CcPiFVb62cfuaNfvZv01aSYA9kTzHpWF97mtAwMCLDhMcHHUdFrRJmQLEjVATl7a2qO4bWt-YwSAdtklXp_gMuijx35Cjp_W51ptKLZaIEMGEUWz2IhacM6lh7Fwq34UkQJ/s1600/ry%253D480-6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJ47a_EKn4CcPiFVb62cfuaNfvZv01aSYA9kTzHpWF97mtAwMCLDhMcHHUdFrRJmQLEjVATl7a2qO4bWt-YwSAdtklXp_gMuijx35Cjp_W51ptKLZaIEMGEUWz2IhacM6lh7Fwq34UkQJ/s320/ry%253D480-6.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuk5nQHSGtzdg-WU1Xn2_hvCHtst7BQioEPwDt1ezAyjuEFWdMDOttox3VTtCZcedUS1YHG-OChpwhDY5ZuqdU4NjHTPDGQAICrOu1aQw_ShBMwQFyijHinPgyh-7YbSAQVQzvxr1QLpHA/s1600/ry%253D480-7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuk5nQHSGtzdg-WU1Xn2_hvCHtst7BQioEPwDt1ezAyjuEFWdMDOttox3VTtCZcedUS1YHG-OChpwhDY5ZuqdU4NjHTPDGQAICrOu1aQw_ShBMwQFyijHinPgyh-7YbSAQVQzvxr1QLpHA/s320/ry%253D480-7.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgMJqD06q06s3CMz2p8batyTFOJfuRoj935-tp9IhTgt8q3-d7CBDjvZhSP2B7B4wkGaTqYYvGxK3EC3IBRZ3-v427cXd-AnYG_goTFnjjq_oDZHRdWVeGQfoOJVlH8TKfWkpjwvr8UO5/s1600/ry%253D400.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgMJqD06q06s3CMz2p8batyTFOJfuRoj935-tp9IhTgt8q3-d7CBDjvZhSP2B7B4wkGaTqYYvGxK3EC3IBRZ3-v427cXd-AnYG_goTFnjjq_oDZHRdWVeGQfoOJVlH8TKfWkpjwvr8UO5/s320/ry%253D400.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4fKWC4C-b0lBmNk8j84366CGfc4ai_dLa-rIKdKn3BBvJ_D8hc5l4_4sHV8xlN4EMtYjrR5bDv_-sN2sHt1LUKOCOOxZabgBBqT5_DNBJ1qDvI7DoNNbZ4ijH_IhUoyYyULbJooal4dn/s1600/highfivespostrace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4fKWC4C-b0lBmNk8j84366CGfc4ai_dLa-rIKdKn3BBvJ_D8hc5l4_4sHV8xlN4EMtYjrR5bDv_-sN2sHt1LUKOCOOxZabgBBqT5_DNBJ1qDvI7DoNNbZ4ijH_IhUoyYyULbJooal4dn/s320/highfivespostrace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvLKF6bEDjs58-8u_aXkjrZo0g2zPUMn3QIrg1323_3HHA_wP9qhjyJYdTYj_cpFbELPtJNOO5KDqY-XcRxV12FXu8kxX-qhnGap9vi9Uu2m_rqMzVJ_XF5dLbpr46wBk7IjVHv1bOLgq/s1600/ry%253D480-8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvLKF6bEDjs58-8u_aXkjrZo0g2zPUMn3QIrg1323_3HHA_wP9qhjyJYdTYj_cpFbELPtJNOO5KDqY-XcRxV12FXu8kxX-qhnGap9vi9Uu2m_rqMzVJ_XF5dLbpr46wBk7IjVHv1bOLgq/s320/ry%253D480-8.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And the race wouldn't be complete with a JT$ shot with Alex, Abby, Hope, Ben, & Amy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggeSDr97oKcfIXk10pAcmq-6_EAftTwUK3zCGbHj41LO-Bzpeh9MFnnmVg9xCMlrjDWzO_RPmvohv1IpILvLuZosid3EJPgt32rYMcUR4SZ1-YRBKcuoSFDCtbii8e2FnL6QxFo6Kve9MH/s1600/groupshotpostrace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggeSDr97oKcfIXk10pAcmq-6_EAftTwUK3zCGbHj41LO-Bzpeh9MFnnmVg9xCMlrjDWzO_RPmvohv1IpILvLuZosid3EJPgt32rYMcUR4SZ1-YRBKcuoSFDCtbii8e2FnL6QxFo6Kve9MH/s320/groupshotpostrace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I said my goodbyes to my fellow charity runners and new friends, I was able to catch the champions of the day, new course record holder, Moses Mosop and World Major Champ, Liliya Shobukhova, who ran 2:05 and 2:18 respectively on a beautiful, yet warm, Chicago Fall day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhOV4iFyVMlKslLSUsQCaL8bub4hEMwEYjuUddoAa1uO3_UZBl9fnlPkJEzwKPeIn6wsGPw1LL1wttVh9StTmQAzDlbpgCO1lDyhc5Msz1lq7PtD6qosmAI6CpBBvpiixJhFyvBWomXLg/s1600/IMG_1984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhOV4iFyVMlKslLSUsQCaL8bub4hEMwEYjuUddoAa1uO3_UZBl9fnlPkJEzwKPeIn6wsGPw1LL1wttVh9StTmQAzDlbpgCO1lDyhc5Msz1lq7PtD6qosmAI6CpBBvpiixJhFyvBWomXLg/s320/IMG_1984.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrM33vGF4Wsx8gVjIKnDNZEjUqLxKtH5-ieocm99e3VT42DQhuC_5b1rUgMSSnndEsMetCSSk_sLDrTWmzkl6dqTkTGW9TRMHBKrvfN05n-pArad7r0HlKPKUHkbY9PtQsKkKInwcOMw1l/s1600/IMG_1986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrM33vGF4Wsx8gVjIKnDNZEjUqLxKtH5-ieocm99e3VT42DQhuC_5b1rUgMSSnndEsMetCSSk_sLDrTWmzkl6dqTkTGW9TRMHBKrvfN05n-pArad7r0HlKPKUHkbY9PtQsKkKInwcOMw1l/s320/IMG_1986.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And to close off the perfect weekend, I joined hands with friends and family of JT to share more stories and raise another worthy toast in his honor. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaUnDKwJ_Rv5Wly0ZHSxgxawhb_aBJNJvfkoP7lIr8zjvK-a4QpjQofrOkgZIKhiMm__d9Ajq9p7Gw1qZBocz2_KSUVUBhZXPal0c5lHuXN2FDCfdzH2jEvEz6_UUEMDWu10OIYrKzc0q/s1600/IMG_1987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaUnDKwJ_Rv5Wly0ZHSxgxawhb_aBJNJvfkoP7lIr8zjvK-a4QpjQofrOkgZIKhiMm__d9Ajq9p7Gw1qZBocz2_KSUVUBhZXPal0c5lHuXN2FDCfdzH2jEvEz6_UUEMDWu10OIYrKzc0q/s320/IMG_1987.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On behalf of <a href="http://www.gotyourbacknetwork.org/">Got Your Back Network</a>, a charity designated to helping families of fallen soldiers through special events and organizations, I am proud to present $5,000 to <a href="http://www.3minutesout.org/">JT's Frogman238 Memorial Fund</a>. If you'd like to help JT's family build a memorial statue in his honor as well as start up an annual JT$ road race in his hometown of Rockford, Iowa, please visit www.3minutes.org. Never forget 8-6-11.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thank you Bank of America for this amazing opportunity!!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div>Fuel Factor Nutrition Coachinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637582866021825471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940277109063130616.post-39282012396814405632011-10-23T18:46:00.000-07:002011-10-24T08:21:04.766-07:00Honoring Jon "JT" Tumilson & America's Bravest, Part IThe morning of August 6th, 2011, a Saturday, began as it normally does in the midst of marathon training for me: a speed workout with Coach Kevin McCarey and fast company. I remember having a great workout but my “runner’s high” quickly plummeted to a low with a twinge of sickness when I was told my friend and fellow runner/triathlete Jon “JT” Tumilson was on a helicopter along with 30 other soldiers that had been shot down by the Taliban just hours earlier in Afghanistan during a rescue mission. I don’t think I really believed the news when I first heard it but as I was able to learn more about the tragic event, a floodgate of emotions was opened. I was pissed. I was sad. I was shocked. JT wasn’t really in that helicopter, was he? <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I first met JT over Memorial Day weekend in 2005 at the former Australian Pub in Pacific Beach where a bunch of us had gathered to say goodbye to a friend who was moving to the land down under. While JT & I ran in the same circle of friends, we had never been formally introduced. It’s funny to reflect back because he definitely was the “one” that caught my attention when I walked into the party. JT’s striking looks melted the hearts of many gals but for me, it really was his down to earth, humble personality despite his kick ass accomplishments as an athlete and a soldier that got my heart fluttering. Coach McCarey quickly started working his matchmaker magic even though my situation of being in the midst of a hurtful divorce didn’t lend to being ready for such. Nonetheless, JT & I developed a friendship bond that night, one that’ll remain in my heart forever.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpI4gMItKQ0HcnIQJZ4sbJ2kFN2RFpaCNnONKpp78qUuvcrov4XFgD0VhFB8hUHrL2hchzKW-tzfnaJHrgoGH0c-1RYSmT-d_v8E5V6nRfB-YL6NXaOkDzzCZHckVPMGQrmKi7lstUYW80/s1600/100_0514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpI4gMItKQ0HcnIQJZ4sbJ2kFN2RFpaCNnONKpp78qUuvcrov4XFgD0VhFB8hUHrL2hchzKW-tzfnaJHrgoGH0c-1RYSmT-d_v8E5V6nRfB-YL6NXaOkDzzCZHckVPMGQrmKi7lstUYW80/s320/100_0514.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
A few weeks after we met, JT was hit with bad news that some of his Seal brothers had been involved in a confrontation with the Taliban both on ground and air in a mountainous area near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Four Navy Seals on ground, including JT’s friend Marcus Lutrell, as well as 8 Navy Seals on a rescue chopper were involved in what, until August 6, 2011, had been the largest loss of life in American Navy Seal history. Miraculously, despite being presumed dead, his friend Marcus was later discovered alive after he had eluded the Taliban hunters by killing a sniper and eventually being sheltered and nurtured back to health in a Afghanistan village. During this time, JT flew out to be with Marcus’s family in Texas. Marcus has since published a book, <a href="http://www.lonesurvivor.net/">Lone Survivor</a>, and a movie is in the makes about his and his fallen teammates experience with Operation Redwing. In addition, since retiring from the Navy, Marcus created the <a href="http://www.lonesurvivorfoundation.org/">Lone Survivor Foundation</a>, whose mission is to restore, empower, and renew hope for wounded soldiers and their families through health, wellness, and therapeutic activities.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7KkksVxkuHI08YWlwI57dIlEKdbaCItFozr2HdA2_ezNBeTM_A8CbfFsZe7Ic0IpKBnVHy6OBCwI5FfC_x1FzAbkxarym48m866tQCII6j0TKz_B7h109cXuwzSIRPOdKK1rIaLAtmuo/s1600/lone-survivor1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7KkksVxkuHI08YWlwI57dIlEKdbaCItFozr2HdA2_ezNBeTM_A8CbfFsZe7Ic0IpKBnVHy6OBCwI5FfC_x1FzAbkxarym48m866tQCII6j0TKz_B7h109cXuwzSIRPOdKK1rIaLAtmuo/s320/lone-survivor1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Could JT be a lone survivor too? While I knew this to be impossible with the nature of the events, I couldn’t help but to think otherwise; must have been my denial state but it helped cope with the magnitude of loss. In San Diego, the running community that JT was so actively a part of hosted a memorial run at Mission Bay and shared stories they cherished about our local hero. A memorial was also set up at <a href="http://www.shakespearepub.com/">Shakespeares Pub</a>, a popular meeting spot for runners. While a large number were dedicating a few miles to JT at his memorial run, I was in Chicago dedicating my race at <a href="http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/chicago">Chicago Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon</a> to him and his fallen comrades. The emotions, the energy I felt from that race was unlike I have ever experienced and I know it helped carry me to my fastest 13.1 finish ever. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCbEKP1epMOpO8ZkXStWEloIJRxENn8IjjHmb11EYfPholMKSLQoAopg2oKKqr6fyDbhw_mtAXiQZ0nCKZCvks3XkdKGXXfQ6B9DNmPokSNLPurTwwxQh5CSXsNMjsBvXm_DCki1dP0dg/s1600/JTmemorialrun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCbEKP1epMOpO8ZkXStWEloIJRxENn8IjjHmb11EYfPholMKSLQoAopg2oKKqr6fyDbhw_mtAXiQZ0nCKZCvks3XkdKGXXfQ6B9DNmPokSNLPurTwwxQh5CSXsNMjsBvXm_DCki1dP0dg/s320/JTmemorialrun.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuTc9moLiZCGRZ-HE7ZXfRRLqLNW5nfaO6yZ6LucTpF_FGYBoivl6ZckGTYu_zxcjRtewjwQAbV9rHx-sT3JTKASGRGSUJ3UrmRHEu7P1kq8eoRyl2Jiok0wJxEgzbMnWi6Fal90csgcG/s1600/JTmemorialatshakey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuTc9moLiZCGRZ-HE7ZXfRRLqLNW5nfaO6yZ6LucTpF_FGYBoivl6ZckGTYu_zxcjRtewjwQAbV9rHx-sT3JTKASGRGSUJ3UrmRHEu7P1kq8eoRyl2Jiok0wJxEgzbMnWi6Fal90csgcG/s320/JTmemorialatshakey.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWUE3_8wHbpzxl6psGOi05evKFHyzHkx4-xFaT5Vsdh9abZNu1tX1gRhOUDq76fOPZpD8l-4tFw_o6wu8eLzCDm_8L1DvD-RU-8SCWuGo3V3kgN5rbCj2EWf9qzWRXW-f7rCd5h_u3vYh/s1600/rnrbib2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWUE3_8wHbpzxl6psGOi05evKFHyzHkx4-xFaT5Vsdh9abZNu1tX1gRhOUDq76fOPZpD8l-4tFw_o6wu8eLzCDm_8L1DvD-RU-8SCWuGo3V3kgN5rbCj2EWf9qzWRXW-f7rCd5h_u3vYh/s320/rnrbib2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2aR8ZsF_kWuAVNwYujJ4o0D3x78f2ncFznY6tt1C_Dpv1hDir-ddCV0qtCkAHj3TlEDI_GSs_8wEWDZkvst7leKpeRQrADNFjFFbLfi8RKJ5jr-V7EfxszBDGnj0a4YhnQSdCMIZaRYB/s1600/rnrhalf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2aR8ZsF_kWuAVNwYujJ4o0D3x78f2ncFznY6tt1C_Dpv1hDir-ddCV0qtCkAHj3TlEDI_GSs_8wEWDZkvst7leKpeRQrADNFjFFbLfi8RKJ5jr-V7EfxszBDGnj0a4YhnQSdCMIZaRYB/s320/rnrhalf.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEckDLV3TRhpGDomqknOYhtIv3vQJAK5V9uoiSmXW3gkfaYFXIPL1oPy5VM64HwnnuBdEL8KYiYKSlQHS9wlKrvqtLS_Ex_OxDrnQjHCA4LOIVl2uVSpJzxv7SNofQ0Rt2CLUJMCrCLf8u/s1600/ImageDisp-16.aspx.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEckDLV3TRhpGDomqknOYhtIv3vQJAK5V9uoiSmXW3gkfaYFXIPL1oPy5VM64HwnnuBdEL8KYiYKSlQHS9wlKrvqtLS_Ex_OxDrnQjHCA4LOIVl2uVSpJzxv7SNofQ0Rt2CLUJMCrCLf8u/s320/ImageDisp-16.aspx.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It felt good to run in JT’s honor but I wanted to do more which is when I stumbled upon a contest that Bank of America was hosting in coordination with the <a href="http://www.chicagomarathon.com/cms400min/chicago_marathon/">Chicago Marathon</a>, a <a href="http://www.chicagomarathon.com/CMS400Min/Chicago_Marathon/runner_information/index.aspx?id=17155">Let’s Run Together charity relay</a> honoring charities making a difference locally, nationally, and globally. With 250 words, as seen below, I shared JT’s story with hopes that Bank of America would honor it as it deserves to be honored and provide a worthy $5000 donation to <a href="http://www.gotyourbacknetwork.org/">Got Your Back Network</a>, a charity my friend Andy Baldwin developed as means to help families of fallen soldiers through special events and organizations. When I received word that the essay I had written about JT was chosen a winner, I was ecstatic. Not only would I be receiving $5000 compliments of Bank of America for <a href="http://www.gotyourbacknetwork.org/">Got Your Back Network</a> but on behalf of GYBN, I'd be able to donate the funds to JT’s <a href="http://www.3minutesout.org/">Frogmen238 memorial fund</a> to help his family build a memorial statue in his hometown of Rockford, Iowa as well as launch an annual road race to help raise funds for families of other fallen soldiers. Icing on the cake was that I was going to have to opportunity to run in JT's honor alongside 12 other charity runners and US Women’s soccer superstars Alex Morgan, Hope Solo, and Abby Wambach at the <a href="http://www.chicagomarathon.com/cms400min/chicago_marathon/">Chicago Marathon</a>, a race I knew JT always had wanted to run.<br />
<br />
The winning essay:<br />
<br />
<i><b>I'm currently chasing after a dream of qualifying for the US Women’s Marathon Olympic Trials but my mission as a runner recently became much bigger. On August 6th, I lost my friend and fellow runner, Jon "JT" Tumilson, when a rocket shot down the helicopter he was traveling on with 30 other brave soldiers to rescue some Army Rangers who had come under fire in Afghanistan. JT was a highly decorated Navy Seal who had actively fought the war on terrorism with multiple deployments since 9/11. He made the ultimate sacrifice for the better of our country. My heart truly breaks for all the friends & families involved in this tragedy. </b></i><br />
<i><b><br />
</b></i><br />
<i><b>JT always went big, never complained, whether being called upon as a soldier or out pushing the pace in a workout. He inspired me in more ways than I think he even knew. JT loved the marathon distance (has an impressive 3:13 PR) & know he will be proud watching all the runners in Chicago conquer 26.2. It would be awesome to run in his honor & the funds would no doubt help his family achieve their dream of creating a Memorial statue in his hometown of Rockford, Iowa, as well as starting an annual Memorial Run in his honor next year. Got Your Back Network is dedicated to providing services to families of fallen soldiers, like JT's, and was created by my good friend Andy Baldwin, a Navy Physician.</b></i><br />
<i><b><br />
</b></i><br />
<i><b>Thank you for your consideration. God Bless America.</b></i>Fuel Factor Nutrition Coachinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637582866021825471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940277109063130616.post-69113163744777176822011-10-12T22:06:00.000-07:002011-10-13T11:54:11.119-07:00Running Down a DreamUpon successfully breaking the covenanted 3-hour 26.2 barrier in my first real focused attempt after spending the bulk of my post-collegiate athletic career testing the triathlon waters, I decided that rather than retiring from the “long” stuff, I wanted to go big and really see where my distance running capabilities could take me. In triathlon, I defined “big” as qualifying and competing at the World Championships in ITU, 70.3, and Ironman distances. Upon fulfilling those goals, I was itching for a new challenge, a new “big” and in the marathon world, that meant working towards earning a spot at the US Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials and an opportunity to compete with the fastest distance runners in Houston January of 2012. And thus my journey began….<br />
<br />
<b>Attempt #1: Vancouver (May)</b><br />
<br />
My 2:59 performance in Vancouver (3 minutes off my PR, 13 minutes off OT goal) could be thought of as failing but isn’t failure merely a reflection of not trying? I held Olympic Trial pace (6:20 per mile) through about mile 16 but the early onset of cramping in my right hamstring caused some major roadblocks the back half of the race and I had to dig deep just to finish. Even though I didn’t achieve my goal of an Olympic Trial berth on my first attempt, I did clinch the final podium spot finishing as 3rd overall woman on the day. I believe every race, regardless of finish, is an invaluable learning experience and my Vancouver race experience this past May taught me that my maturing athletic muscles can no longer just “toe the line” and expect to perform without a proper warm-up. Duly noted.<br />
<br />
I took a full month off from focused training after Vancouver as I knew I was going to line-up one, if not two, additional efforts to go after my dream of qualifying for the US Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials. Proper recovery is really the key to staying healthy and successful at these longer distances.<br />
<br />
<b>Attempt #2: Twin Cities (October)</b><br />
<br />
On my return trip home from Vancouver, I was already studying options for my next 26.2 attempt. I could have returned to the blazing fast Chicago Marathon course but instead, like Vancouver, opted for a course with some terrain (aka, hills) and a history of cooler weather, that being Twin Cities Marathon, which is ranked amongst the top 10 most scenic 26.2 courses in the US (I agree). <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUxtmkUR75AWxIDDV4E6lPKuSrzvrVIBHTHJbRGZHkf8Ssr9lCvZiTMORRQccVj0ejZHYYi_Av7C2L214y0WClkCC7_nFVM2WyVIdoTtsPwQhw-5OfTJ3NGqakP-5Jfv3O5Y5eJi3fFiE/s1600/twincities.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUxtmkUR75AWxIDDV4E6lPKuSrzvrVIBHTHJbRGZHkf8Ssr9lCvZiTMORRQccVj0ejZHYYi_Av7C2L214y0WClkCC7_nFVM2WyVIdoTtsPwQhw-5OfTJ3NGqakP-5Jfv3O5Y5eJi3fFiE/s320/twincities.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<b><u>Training & Nutrition Preparation</u></b><br />
<br />
Since I am still fairly new to the whole “focused marathon training” approach, I am still feeling out what my training limits are in this regard. Having been a competitive runner now for a good 15 years, however, I do know that I respond more favorably to quality training rather than quantity training. This means that I tend to run a larger percentage of my total weekly mileage at a pace faster than what a textbook may suggest I should. On the other hand, I run less total mileage than many of my competitive distance running peers (one reason why I think I have stayed healthy). The textbook may provide some generic guidelines but with every body type, with every genetic makeup comes a different training prescription for peak performance. Just as I promote with my nutrition business, training needs to be customized and I am very fortunate to have my longtime coach, Paul Greer, who understands this concept when helping create my training plans.<br />
<br />
A typical training week in the midst of marathon training looks like this:<br />
<br />
Monday: AM: 45 minute aerobic run, PM: 30 minute aerobic run or cross-train, 60 minutes <a href="http://www.armonescoreconnection.com/">pilates</a><br />
<br />
Tuesday: AM: 15-20 min jog warm-up, 5x20 second strides, 20-35 minutes of speed work, 5x20 second strides, 15-20 minute jog cool-down, PM: 20-40 minute recovery run or cross train<br />
<br />
Wednesday: AM: 45 minute aerobic run, PM: 30 minute run or cross-train, 60 minutes <a href="http://www.armonescoreconnection.com/">pilates</a><br />
<br />
Thursday: 15-20 min jog warm-up, 5x20 second strides, 20-40 minutes of tempo running or long intervals, 5x20 second strides, 15-20 minute jog cool-down, PM: 20-40 minute recovery run or cross-train<br />
<br />
Friday: OFF<br />
<br />
Saturday: AM: 15-20 minute warm-up, 6x20 second strides, 20-30 minutes speedwork, 15-20<br />
minute cool-down<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<br />
Sunday: 2-3 hour long run<br />
<br />
I also used several races, including Tijuana Half Marathon (1:22:59), Caneco 10k Internacional (37:50), Chicago Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon (1:21:41), and Bonita 8k XC (30:30), as supplements to solid target marathon pace and faster tempo efforts during my 12-week training block that ultimately lead to a peak of ~80 miles including a 3 hour (25 mile run). I find it a lot easier to run tempos in a race setting than by myself and I get the added bonus of getting the racing juices flowing! After a solid 12-week training block, I began a gradual 4-week taper. Tapering not only provides a mental break from the stress that intense marathon training can bring but it also allows the body to start replenishing depleted nutrients used to propel performance and thus facilitate recovery. From a mileage standpoint, my final 4 weeks looked as follows: 70-55-45-20. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_56veRwbuzxjpyzoS5RP3fawMG_KLuxjjvf6C7Dv5RIzcboHdwR7PYylu5jG07aOzvOICesRLDlSLhDFoLpvVN07vOGTu42t1cztRr3TJhaooU6HX9ovBjKQvQZbMtog-08nxO_gUBjX8/s1600/tjhalf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_56veRwbuzxjpyzoS5RP3fawMG_KLuxjjvf6C7Dv5RIzcboHdwR7PYylu5jG07aOzvOICesRLDlSLhDFoLpvVN07vOGTu42t1cztRr3TJhaooU6HX9ovBjKQvQZbMtog-08nxO_gUBjX8/s320/tjhalf.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfHSwTSzfePI6_Po73bYE9DLPmae6qRr5_RpL4kahol3lLdtTvaOFR7vmNRCOOcVaZv0wCH0CmtUTKSzKP7jZlFDTyjmvBi9eJXs7vMdCnjPtCe3ciBmFAkbm3HZP0c8TziVUy8jT_lTZ/s1600/rnrhalf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfHSwTSzfePI6_Po73bYE9DLPmae6qRr5_RpL4kahol3lLdtTvaOFR7vmNRCOOcVaZv0wCH0CmtUTKSzKP7jZlFDTyjmvBi9eJXs7vMdCnjPtCe3ciBmFAkbm3HZP0c8TziVUy8jT_lTZ/s320/rnrhalf.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKG34_uhyphenhyphendKhtVrsMTn4tko92a2lM9xNPfIVt1j62RIuhCKYeVK6j2wnpDtU7cEVvDGmNZ7KiN9lc_jk1SVegL8I3-zZoJJouHHBdzi20rwQAqZ7vR4OE3ht9BoSYab82PGUClnsWPdXbr/s1600/TJ10k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKG34_uhyphenhyphendKhtVrsMTn4tko92a2lM9xNPfIVt1j62RIuhCKYeVK6j2wnpDtU7cEVvDGmNZ7KiN9lc_jk1SVegL8I3-zZoJJouHHBdzi20rwQAqZ7vR4OE3ht9BoSYab82PGUClnsWPdXbr/s320/TJ10k.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
In addition to tapering, I follow modern-day carbo-loading protocols, which entail that you consume 4-5 grams of easy-to-digest carbohydrate per pound of LEAN body mass daily starting 3 days out from race day. I think it is important to emphasize the need for “easy-to-digest” carbohydrates during carbo-loading as many athletes, especially runners, complain of GI distress on race day as a result of what Registered Dietitians like myself refer to as “residue” left over in the gut. Fiber is a big culprit so instead of my breakfast favorite of oatmeal, I opt for rice-based cereals like cream of rice or Special K, instead of whole wheat or brown, I go white, instead of whole fruit, I choose juices. Yep, pretty much the opposite of the principles I typically teach. If you gain a little bit of weight during carbo-loading, you are on the right track as for every gram of carbohydrate stored within in our muscles, there comes 3 grams of water weight. If you gain more than 2% of your body mass, you are eating too many calories.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTc07Z7a1ZCJwTrITMSKgRNkwXSEHVHy3q4wRs1JcXpdz3BlwtesTjgtU6qXN6mfqNyE0cCOtojfXm6B7HIR9JHQDKhRFnHUZzQ6yy7tCzf9hResWg28jEN0bBkIl0QZi20PoHDP-X2O7q/s1600/carboload.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTc07Z7a1ZCJwTrITMSKgRNkwXSEHVHy3q4wRs1JcXpdz3BlwtesTjgtU6qXN6mfqNyE0cCOtojfXm6B7HIR9JHQDKhRFnHUZzQ6yy7tCzf9hResWg28jEN0bBkIl0QZi20PoHDP-X2O7q/s320/carboload.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<b><u>Race Day</u></b><br />
<br />
On race morning, I like to be up 2-3 hours in advance of gun start to start fueling and mentally/physically preparing myself for peak performance. The target for fueling is ~200-300 calories for every hour removed from race time. So, at 2-3 hours out, the target would be to consume in line of 400-900 easy-to-digest carbohydrate-focused calories. The lower the fiber, the better off you’ll be. For running races, I air on the conservative side of this range as there is nothing worse than stomach woes during a marathon. My go-to pre-26.2 meal consists of a <a href="http://www.purefit.com/">Pure Fit Nutrition bar</a> (220 calories), 2 <a href="http://www.frs.com/">quercetin</a> chews (40 calories, quercetin is a natural anti-inflammatory), and 20 ounces of <a href="http://www.infinitnutrition.com/">Infinit Run</a> solution (230 calories) plus some caffeine in the form of DMD (Diet Mountain Dew). It works like a charm from a fueling standpoint every race I have run.<br />
<br />
Even with starting line temperatures close to perfect at just under 60, the race day forecast was for unusually warm and sunny conditions with highs nearing 80 so I knew hydration was going to be important factor in performance, especially with a fairly late start at 8am. In addition to carbohydrate-loading, I did favor saltier foods leading up to race day and sipped on sports drink pre-race with the hope that the expansion of blood volume would help my hydration cause.<br />
<br />
At the start line, I didn’t find myself nervous, rather excited to lay it all on the line, to go for it. Just 2 months earlier, I experienced the loss of my friend <a href="http://www.3minutesout.org/">JT Tumilson</a>, a highly decorated Navy Seal, athlete, and all-around great guy, after the helicopter he and 30 fellow brave soldiers were traveling in got shot down by the Taliban in Afghanistan. JT’s attitude was always to “go big or go home” and that’s exactly what I intended on doing in his and his fallen comrades honor.<br />
<br />
The race itself started in downtown Minneapolis right by Metrodome (for non-football fans, this is where the Vikings play) but quickly took us on a scenic and hilly path of Fall colors, interesting architecture, stunning homes, and beautiful lakes. I immediately found myself in a comfortable rhythm running by triathlete phenom Joanna Zeiger (think she must have later dropped out because I didn’t see her after the 10k mark) as well as a few other chicks. Since I am not a technical runner, meaning I don’t ever use fancy gadgets in training to spit back pace and distance, I always run on feel and my “feeling” was spot on pace wise after clipping off a 6:20 first mile so I rolled with it.<br />
<br />
Through about 30k, I was spot-on pace-wise, and even pretty close to pace hitting 2:08 at mile 20. I stayed honest with my fueling, taking a Dixie cup or 2 of fluid at each aid station in coordination with small shots of my <a href="http://www.infinitnutrition.com/">Infinit Run</a> concentrate (300 calories, 400 mg sodium). This no doubt helped keep my legs feeling solid all the way to the end. Unfortunately, I knew I was in trouble just past the halfway mark as the onset of asthma had my breathing extremely shallow and consequently my abdominal wall started to cramp to the point it was painful and extremely hard to take a deep breath. This has only happened to me on a handful of occasions but every time it does, it scares the living daylights out of me because I feel as if I’m getting dunked under water and can’t come up for air. There is not much I can do once I am triggered, usually by tree pollens or other irritants in the air. Even with an inhaler, it is hard for me to continue on from an athletic standpoint. As frustrating as it is to have to walk during a running race, I know too well the consequences of not taking certain precautions having passed out and requiring emergency medical treatment at the ’04 IM World Champs thanks to being too bullheaded to stop despite hours of wheezing and thus letting my O2 sat drop dangerously low while I reacted to VOG (volcanic ash & island pollens). Thus, I found myself slowly walking/jogging the final uphill grind to the stunning finish at the capital building. I knew my dreams of qualifying for the Olympic Trials were quickly passing me by but nonetheless, I was determined to get across the finish line and that I did, eventually finishing in 2:57:46 which clinched me 30th OA (out of 3676 chicks) and the final podium spot in my division (5th out of 571). <br />
<br />
The finish line was kind of a blur as I did require treatment, fortunately just with an inhaler, rest, and a focused massage on my spastic back/abdominal wall rather than the oxygen I needed in Hawaii. Surprisingly and thankfully, my legs felt fine post-race which gives me hope for quickly bouncing back for a last chance try at the Olympic Trials in December. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMh9klBhr5mX18n6fHRHbpy1GAdBP5jBcAI0L2wvkUC1cl03oytZFuSSUvVmCYas4nvDMkF8Z3slJKAC7FQ5qoD2yeCqAnA_U_YRLychw-R4IBuxMlUvGx_v8jx8amS627TuHzc76NvDGC/s1600/jennyheather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMh9klBhr5mX18n6fHRHbpy1GAdBP5jBcAI0L2wvkUC1cl03oytZFuSSUvVmCYas4nvDMkF8Z3slJKAC7FQ5qoD2yeCqAnA_U_YRLychw-R4IBuxMlUvGx_v8jx8amS627TuHzc76NvDGC/s320/jennyheather.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<b>Thanks..</b><br />
<br />
It’s been an amazing ride thus far and there are so many people who have inspired me and influenced me throughout this journey. To name a few…<br />
<br />
<b><u><a href="http://www.saucony.com/">Saucony</a></u></b>: I am so honored to have been part of Team Saucony these past 2 years and think this year’s motto, “Find your strong”, is extremely fitting as I test the limits of my distance running capabilities in route to a hopeful Olympic Trial marathon berth. On race day, I proudly laced up my speedy (and bright…yellow) A4 racers. In the Spring, I was proud to be selected as Athlete of the Quarter and look forward to setting many more personal bests with Saucony =)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.infiniterunning.com/">Infinite Running</a>: As an athlete who works full time, spending time away from the office as means to race and chase after dreams can be a financial burden. Infinite Running has graciously provided support and inspiration when needed. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.sdtc.com/">San Diego Track Club</a>: My coach Paul Greer and teammates have kept me on track and inspired in workouts and are truly a second family for me here in San Diego. Love you guys!<br />
<br />
Massage Therapy: Robb Latimer and Ryan Schuler have unique sports massage techniques that have helped keep me healthy and performing at peak.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mynft.com/">Nicholas Linn</a>: MAT has been a new addition to my training protocol and no doubt has been essential in helping take my performance to the next level. If your nerves aren’t firing properly, your muscles aren’t performing at peak!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.armonescoreconnection.com/">Armone's Core Connection</a>: Ever since I shifted gears and focused purely on running, I have taken up pilates @ Armone's Core Connection as it helps address areas of weakness, such as hip flexors, that often lead to common run injuries. I attribute my health and strength as a runner in part to my 2x/week pilates routine. Thanks Armone! =)<br />
<br />
And of course, my friends and family for understanding that when 9pm rolls around, I may be hitting the pillow so I can get my ideal 7-9 hours of sleep but in all seriousness, thanks for providing me with the love and support that has kept me beaming and excited about whatever goals I have set for myself. You guys ROCK!<br />
<br />
So what’s next???? =)<br />
<br />
<b>Attempt #3 (my lucky number): Cal International (December 4th)</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><br />
</div>Fuel Factor Nutrition Coachinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637582866021825471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940277109063130616.post-66031698208093106262011-08-18T10:49:00.001-07:002011-08-18T10:49:04.909-07:00Rock n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon: A Tribute to our Bravest<br />
I originally signed up for Rock n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon as a great means to log some "marathon pace" miles in preparation for Twin Cities in the fall. My goal was to still run Olympic Trial pace (6:15-6:20) but my mission became much bigger when I lost my friend and fellow runner/triathlete, JT Tumilson, when a rocket shot down the helicopter he was traveling on to rescue some Army Rangers who had come under fire on August 6th. He was part of the prestigious Seal Team 6, who were responsible for taking down Bin Laden. Needless to say, the news was devastating for me and countless others. My heart breaks for all the families involved in this tragedy so I decided to dedicate my race to America's bravest and especially JT. I was interviewed at the starting line with which, in combination, with our National Anthem, got me choked up. Even so, I knew it was going to be a good day. JT was one who always went big, never complained. He inspired me in more ways than I think he even knew. I felt the spirit of JT and his fallen team as I cruised through the streets of Chicago en route to a new 13.1 PR of 1:21:41 and 5th OA chick. As I crossed the finish line, the gusty winds of the day made a statement as all the American flags lining the city were flying proud. I think it was our bravest watching from above with a smile. To cap off the emotional day, Journey took the stage post-race and did a brilliant rock rendition of God Bless America, waving the American flag I brought to the race and signing a special note to JT on my tribute bib.<br />
<br />
For anyone interested in making donations, you can visit the Navy Seal Foundation page at www.nswfoundation.org . JT's family is hoping to build a statue in his honor at his hometown of Rockford, Iowa and will be starting a Memorial Run next year. If you'd like to help out JT's family, donations can be made directly to the Frogman238 Memorial Fund, First Security Bank and Trust, Rockford, Iowa, (641)756-3361.<br />
<br />
http://hauser.funeralplan2.com/obituaries/jon-t-tumilson.aspx<br />
Fuel Factor Nutrition Coachinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637582866021825471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940277109063130616.post-30544388198792505572011-05-14T15:15:00.000-07:002011-05-14T15:15:58.191-07:00Vancouver Marathon 2011<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Vancouver Marathon 2011</b></div><br />
<b>Training…(for those of you who have asked in the past)</b><br />
<br />
Upon realization that I finished within 10-minutes of the US Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials standard in the Vancouver last year, I decided that my former goal of merely breaking the 3 hour barrier for 26.2 miles needed to be intensified and certain sacrifices be made in order to make this pipe dream of mine become a reality. My journey began in January of this year and one of the sacrifices I have made is forgoing my typical “triathlon training” to focus more on functional training for running, namely more quality running miles (60-70+) coupled 1-2 miles of post-run “recovery” swimming, 1-2 hours of cross training (usually elliptical with arms), and 2-3 hours of pilates/strength training each week. Interestingly, my “amped” mileage is still a far cry from my competitors who are more apt to log in the 80-100 miles/week. Nonetheless, I have found my body responds quite well to higher “quality” mileage coupled with lower “recovery” run recovery mileage. My body and, more specifically, my joints, definitely thank me for keeping the pounding on the downswing on recovery days as I have managed to avoid virtually every “running-related” injury that often keeps other atheltes on the sidelines for months, even years.<br />
<br />
Anyways, with the help of my longtime coach and friend, Paul Greer, I put together a 16-week training program for Vancouver that incorporated a weekly speed session, longer intervals or tempo run, and a long progression run alongside more recovery-focused running and cross-training, explained a bit more below. <br />
<br />
<u>Speed Sessions/Long Interval/Tempo Runs</u><br />
<br />
Twice per week, I implemented 20-30 minutes of speed-work along with plyo drills and strides, usually along beautiful Silver Strand in Coronado, in the mornings and doubled with a 3-5 mile run in the afternoon to help aid recovery from the AM session and also build my aerobic capacity. My speed sessions alternated between longer with minimal recovery to shorter, faster intervals with longer recovery. Both workouts helped to increase my lactate threshold, allowing “marathon pace” to feel like a walk in the park (well, maybe not that easy but close…Lol).<br />
<br />
<u>Long Runs</u><br />
<br />
My long runs started at 12 miles and increased in distance by ~2 miles for 3 weeks before enjoying a cut back week where training volume reduced by 20-30% to facilitate nutritional and physical recovery. Each long run was completed like a progression run where I started about a minute per mile slower than my goal marathon pace and descended down to slightly faster than my goal marathon pace the final few miles. This got my body used to sustaining a harder effort on “fatigued” legs. By the time my long runs were in “taper” mode 3 weeks prior to Vancouver Marathon, I had completed 6 20+ mile runs.<br />
<br />
<u>Cross Training</u><br />
<br />
Instead of logging super high run mileage, my body responds more favorably to supplementing run miles with cross-training. Remember that I have spent the bulk of my post-collegiate running career racing triathlons so the running-only focus is new to me. Each week, I completed 2 hours of pilates reformer classes with Armone’s Core Connection in La Jolla (great for hip strength and mobility as well as core function) and on most weeks I jumped into 1 or 2 functional strength classes with Bryan Hill and company at Rehab United (great for all-around strength and explosiveness). On the cardio front, I averaged 2-3 hours in the pool and/or elliptical with arms, usually done as workout #2 for the day and at an intensity to facilitate active recovery.<br />
<br />
<u>Racing as Training</u><br />
<br />
I raced three times during my marathon training cycle, although ‘race” is a term that should be used loosely as they were planned harder tempo efforts as racing longer distances can make it hard to fully recover for the work, aka “training”, that needs to be done for the marathon. In February, I raced the Coronado 10k with the goal of running 6 to 6:15 per mile, aka “comfortably hard” effort. The workout was successful as I came across in 37:41 (6:04 pace) clinching me 3rd OA female for the day. One month later, I traveled out to NYC to race 13.1 with the goal of running target Olympic Trial Marathon pace (6:20 per mile). Once again, the race was a success as I ran progressively faster to finish in 1:22:20 (6:17 pace). My final race, Carlsbad 5000, was used as a test of running fast on “fatigued” legs as I completed 19 miles the day prior. Once again, it turned out to be a successful test as I ran a personal best on that course (18:01) to clinch a spot in the top 10 despite a solid long run effort the day prior. <br />
<br />
<u>Tapering for Race Day</u><br />
<br />
I started my taper 3 weeks out from Vancouver after peaking with just over 70 miles of run training, a couple hours of elliptical, a couple miles of swim recovery miles, and a couple hours of pilates. Whew, that was a BIG week (for me) and the weekly 25% reduction in training to come was very welcomed. Crazy enough, however, I actually felt less rested during my taper and really didn’t come out of my “funk” until a few days prior to race day. It’s funny how the body can play tricks on you like that!<br />
<br />
<b>Race Week</b><br />
<br />
I LOVE race week only it is extremely hard being in a beautiful city without being able to take on the tourist “I want to explore” mentality. I arrived into Vancouver on Thursday evening via air and bus and immediately checked into the race headquarters, Sandman Hotel, a few blocks from the race so I could unwind after the long day of travel, and other than getting out to the race expo for packet pickup, to feed the machine with carbohydrate (thanks to Theresa, Matt, and Glen for cooking up pasta Sat night) and an Elite Athlete Reception where I had the opportunity to meet a ton of athletes from all over the world, this is where I spent most the time until toeing the line on Sunday.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDfC0KPEAMxuydpAGCtvYjPRdMNWsCC5GMhjX7YUAEPIzLDDl587wQA6RhWgHEQK6B1uAqycfPe2i8hyDRoSzSC42qr1ku6asu6I4sd8WJ52IXI9Twju0eHqA-9KO_imq6czppoa-4HyD/s1600/IMG_1278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDfC0KPEAMxuydpAGCtvYjPRdMNWsCC5GMhjX7YUAEPIzLDDl587wQA6RhWgHEQK6B1uAqycfPe2i8hyDRoSzSC42qr1ku6asu6I4sd8WJ52IXI9Twju0eHqA-9KO_imq6czppoa-4HyD/s320/IMG_1278.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfeVEAVki3e2qb6JZ3lBAWIMQjZJzSiR0n415GMlyyctTS-TyTXEhqIcvCDTaE2G2v4UuTzQ9G0exXw-ctXg3Ml0T8HUnV-f7ug7EMnp1teQMfpOv-t3neveU_XRzNUbCJJJYY27yH6FF/s1600/IMG_1284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfeVEAVki3e2qb6JZ3lBAWIMQjZJzSiR0n415GMlyyctTS-TyTXEhqIcvCDTaE2G2v4UuTzQ9G0exXw-ctXg3Ml0T8HUnV-f7ug7EMnp1teQMfpOv-t3neveU_XRzNUbCJJJYY27yH6FF/s320/IMG_1284.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPJRSaZxcMzscGW1r9aZIVuDJiTFGU4Ud9a9ngogY3lw71ktGG7FeOzFrZTWPvpYvFX2M62zg_b6pnUViwkQh4SOJSL1NPvE2swnt1WWRqP47R1pMHIUjXyY0mIlmSt7OWr5qp92FHWD7/s1600/IMG_1287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPJRSaZxcMzscGW1r9aZIVuDJiTFGU4Ud9a9ngogY3lw71ktGG7FeOzFrZTWPvpYvFX2M62zg_b6pnUViwkQh4SOJSL1NPvE2swnt1WWRqP47R1pMHIUjXyY0mIlmSt7OWr5qp92FHWD7/s320/IMG_1287.JPG" width="231" /></a></div><br />
<u>Race day</u><br />
<br />
My roommate, Emily Tallen (who not only is a phenomenal runner from Canada but also one of the coolest peeps I met over the weekend), and I were up a couple hours prior to gun start to once again feed the machine. My go-to pre-race meal continues to be the low-glycemic and easy-to-digest <a href="http://www.purefit.com/">Pure Fit Nutrition Bar </a>coupled with a 100 mg dose of caffeine and a sports bottle full of <a href="http://www.infinitnutrition.com/">Infinit Nutrition’s</a> Run-focused sports drink (www.infinitnutrition.com) that I sip on leading up to race start. After fueling, it was off to the starting line to do some ballistic stretching (my version of a warm-up for 26.2….and something I now realize I need to build upon) before “go” time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQY-eX3ge7VkBmNXBln8HYt3gNPhjzJeJL7-xZvoUH8tWqqO4pvwv7VqpRiXtKNjAatTABHHpohPFtIbu2uGNWhfkZ6pLRLJxPepVFtlPCMNQ0xlmmu9Pu-n3VqRnXevDfSt4zGQj7tai/s1600/IMG_1293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQY-eX3ge7VkBmNXBln8HYt3gNPhjzJeJL7-xZvoUH8tWqqO4pvwv7VqpRiXtKNjAatTABHHpohPFtIbu2uGNWhfkZ6pLRLJxPepVFtlPCMNQ0xlmmu9Pu-n3VqRnXevDfSt4zGQj7tai/s320/IMG_1293.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Unlike last year, I had the pleasure of knowing other athletes on the line with me, which is always nice, and the biggest plus was that there was NO RAIN. The weather was absolutely stunning with temperatures around 50 and not a cloud in the sky. I was pumped and ready to get the show on the scenic 26.2 mile Vancouver course. And then the gun went off…<br />
<br />
The first miles are always a tough gauge as I don’t have any fancy gadgets to monitor pace and racing in Canada (as well as Europe) entails that you understand the metric system, something that is not used frequently in the US running circuit. Fortunately, much like I do in training, I ran “comfortable” based on the perceived effort scale, a scale that has worked in other successful racing experiences of mine. Much to my excitement, this “comfortable” exertion had me running 20 meters behind the top 3 gals, two of which were trying to qualify for the Olympic trials, including San Diego phenom Theresa Lowrey. If I didn’t have these gals in sight, I would have been in “no-man’s land”, which always makes racing harder so I tagged along.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, my right hamstring unexpectedly started to bother me (kind of like a Charlie Horse) early into the race, with a dull cramping sensation arising around the 10k mark. Not good with 20 miles left, right? At this point, I just shrugged it off and prayed that it would just work itself out because pace-wise, I was comfortable. Not my luck on this day, however, and thus, as I rolled across the halfway point in 1:22:19 a couple minutes back on the leaders, I knew that between the hills and my seizing hamstring, I had a tough journey to the finishline ahead of me.<br />
<br />
Previous thoughts of “Olympic Trials” were now replaced with “how can prevent my hamstring from completely failing on me so I can finish?”. My solution was to allow stretch breaks as needed, which ended up being every 1-2 km. My company, the lead cyclist for 3rd OA woman, kept me inspired to keep plugging forward despite these frequent stops; he definitely served as my racing angel the second half. With just a few miles left, I caught glimpse of the 4th place gal who no doubt was gaining ground on me. This ignited my competitive spirit and so I exchanged some evil words with my hamstring and powered up over the final grueling hill (Burrard St) Bridge where I was greeted by a welcome smile and cheer from my friend & Vancouver local Greg White. This propelled me on and I was able to hold on to 3rd overall chick for the day and miraculously dip under the 3 hour barrier for only 2nd time in my running career at 2:59:22. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkI85nkOkToKPrHt2HOc2ts3ukuUq-Kuzd-uvFjNrghgCA-Wb4I4L0B7QvDSFU5wz7sEPmHeWlm6Xce6yALlqKRpdYz5gCBn2ZWpAXcbiLII-kT3XpIxVH8JhP5gSytYeuNGDSC8sLTIg0/s1600/securedownload-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkI85nkOkToKPrHt2HOc2ts3ukuUq-Kuzd-uvFjNrghgCA-Wb4I4L0B7QvDSFU5wz7sEPmHeWlm6Xce6yALlqKRpdYz5gCBn2ZWpAXcbiLII-kT3XpIxVH8JhP5gSytYeuNGDSC8sLTIg0/s320/securedownload-1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1NxKHDkOyI1qJDNgOXYryWK2Kui5yLCoEdjgHRDZwUONbTJtZr1DW-j9NOWtkkEQaCVrUAZDH2QgJkvludG6oMA2vW3hGn8-ENwZ4GgUxIuWsDW3Ypg-MYUDpeK_HVJAv9Ln7RgYYwJs/s1600/securedownload.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1NxKHDkOyI1qJDNgOXYryWK2Kui5yLCoEdjgHRDZwUONbTJtZr1DW-j9NOWtkkEQaCVrUAZDH2QgJkvludG6oMA2vW3hGn8-ENwZ4GgUxIuWsDW3Ypg-MYUDpeK_HVJAv9Ln7RgYYwJs/s320/securedownload.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
While I was over 3 minutes slower than last year despite better weather and a good 10 minutes off my goal time, crossing this finish line ranks as one of my proudest racing moments as I was able to physically overcome a mountain of adversity within my hamstring and mentally overcome the demons who encouraged me to stop many times during the race. It is also strangely encouraging as I am now confident that my Olympic Trials goal of 2:45 is within reach if my body (and Mother Nature) cooperates. My lesson learned this time around is that I need a more sufficient warm-up pre-race so when I give 2:45 a go this Fall (race yet TBD), you’ll see me jogging with the Kenyans for 10-15 minutes =)<br />
<br />
<u>Official Results</u><br />
<br />
2:59:22<br />
3rd OA out of 1,398 woman<br />
1st OA out of 253 in 30-34 age group<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkeE7wK6qLceFIQm6TyyiqX50XesfQ3H0kOZCvYVNhkTnPd_VdCeCX_Jeg9jtETQbHBfbIsQnBdpoRXB7uXNQfyr0gEnU3i3OycTpOSwkNNqukyYkDXxtTgffvJ91uv80JWk45XgrYV3P/s1600/IMG_1308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkeE7wK6qLceFIQm6TyyiqX50XesfQ3H0kOZCvYVNhkTnPd_VdCeCX_Jeg9jtETQbHBfbIsQnBdpoRXB7uXNQfyr0gEnU3i3OycTpOSwkNNqukyYkDXxtTgffvJ91uv80JWk45XgrYV3P/s320/IMG_1308.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78HtXtVv0X8zMtmsfNBSnSuY-Y4MwUwwY_Xu9KUnOy8wK0arliuQEFaRjliA4BqJs6gFh4tYrzwYtJQo9-AeizfkrBH_uXQmBSzRKPhv4OWmbECI3DFwj5CxsQOX5xI6361-CE2Qo2mtL/s1600/IMG_1306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78HtXtVv0X8zMtmsfNBSnSuY-Y4MwUwwY_Xu9KUnOy8wK0arliuQEFaRjliA4BqJs6gFh4tYrzwYtJQo9-AeizfkrBH_uXQmBSzRKPhv4OWmbECI3DFwj5CxsQOX5xI6361-CE2Qo2mtL/s320/IMG_1306.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Props go out to... </b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
-The 14,000 athletes completing either the 8k, ½ marathon, and marathon<br />
-John Armour of San Diego Track Club and Infinite Running for finishing 5th OA in the men’s race with a new PR of 2:37<br />
-My roommate for the weekend, Emily Tallen, winning the women’s half marathon in 1:16<br />
-Rutto Kibet, one of the many awesome athletes I met over the weekend, for winning the men’s half marathon in 1:06:30<br />
-Allison Macsas, fellow elite runner, for qualifying for the US Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials (hope to join you next January!)<br />
-Brian Torrance and the Vancouver Marathon race crew for once again making my racing experience an amazing one.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rp5kzwVxkeaU2MXbvO3LYPqenIvpG0da9naLWy09_AbrT6PZBxE5RhEz3WVG_fdQIgM0hy8rNuUssL4a-l8huY4sorYYc2APdtIWD639o6uJ2_NOAhMqmEcVN4vohwxRYA-X8uuRxshT/s1600/IMG_1294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rp5kzwVxkeaU2MXbvO3LYPqenIvpG0da9naLWy09_AbrT6PZBxE5RhEz3WVG_fdQIgM0hy8rNuUssL4a-l8huY4sorYYc2APdtIWD639o6uJ2_NOAhMqmEcVN4vohwxRYA-X8uuRxshT/s320/IMG_1294.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Thanks…</b><br />
<br />
-<a href="http://www.saucony.com/">Saucony</a> for keeping me equipped in the swiftest and sweetest gear<br />
-Robb Latimer for his countless hours of sports massage, an essential part of my training!<br />
-Nicholas Linn of Neuromuscular Fitness Training for helping keep my muscles moving and performing at peak<br />
-Ryan Schuler for his specialized muscle treatment at the peak of training<br />
-<a href="http://www.rehabunited.com/">Rehab United</a> for kicking my arse and keeping me strong with their functional training classes<br />
-<a href="http://www.armonescoreconnection.com/">Armone's Core Connection</a> for introducing me to pilates, an important component of my marathon training<br />
-<a href="http://www.purefit.com/">Pure Fit Nutrition</a> for cooking up the perfect ingredients for pre-race fueling.<br />
-<a href="http://www.infinitnutrition.com/">Infinit Nutrition</a>, my partners in crime, and sports drink of choice.<br />
-<a href="http://www.infiniterunning.com/">Infinite Running</a> for keeping me inspired and on target in my training.<br />
-Greg White for playing host to me on a whim and showing me why Vancouver is such a sweet place to explore.<br />
-My coach Paul Greer and the <a href="http://www.sdtc.com/">SDTC</a> family for helping support all my running adventures.<br />
-My family and friends for always believing in me as I chase after my dreams.<br />
<div><br />
</div>Fuel Factor Nutrition Coachinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637582866021825471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940277109063130616.post-47992607933484869332011-03-28T09:28:00.000-07:002011-03-28T09:28:04.490-07:00Performance Nutrition Clinic tonite 7-8pm @ Wolf Studio in Solana Beach!!!Come join me at Wolf Studio in Solana Beach from 7-8pm tonite where I'll teaching the basics of carbo-loading, pre-race fueling, fueling on the bike versus run, proper hydration strategies, and recovery nutrition. If you are racing in Oceanside this weekend or have another endurance event on the horizon, you won't want to miss this talk. Please RSVP to me directly.<br />
<br />
Directions to Wolf Studio can be found at: http://www.beachwalkwolf.com/<br />
<br />
Healthy trails,<br />
<br />
KimFuel Factor Nutrition Coachinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637582866021825471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940277109063130616.post-61295269619789302852011-03-26T13:40:00.000-07:002011-03-26T13:47:26.269-07:00Running in the Big Apple<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>It is amazing to me how big cities pull off such a huge feat of closing down miles upon miles of heavily populated roadways in the city center but the <a href="http://www.nyrr.org/">NY Road Runners</a> have managed to do just that in what I now consider one of my favorite half marathon courses. The course itself starts on the Upper East side of Central Park and takes you on a scenic, hilly 8 miler perimeter tour of the park before dropping you off at 7th Avenue where the lights and energy of Times Square propel you towards the Hudson River for a finish at Battery Park with the Statue of Liberty smiling upon you. Yeah, awesome, right?!!! =) <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGDvamUmArOAlCj-64BomD5cKYz-CF5707bH_CVF9K3j8eM_yJlWA02XkkS3xIvVNs8y-b3bbJ98FHS2_mkzH7Lue3twRB-MQfAMpFhL2imaCIepAxG5s04lAN_0JsKADKxr-pToMGIcY/s1600/76783-3071-003f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGDvamUmArOAlCj-64BomD5cKYz-CF5707bH_CVF9K3j8eM_yJlWA02XkkS3xIvVNs8y-b3bbJ98FHS2_mkzH7Lue3twRB-MQfAMpFhL2imaCIepAxG5s04lAN_0JsKADKxr-pToMGIcY/s320/76783-3071-003f.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Battery Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I arrived into the city on Friday evening after a long day of travel from San Diego but was excited to meet up with Olympian and San Diego running Superstar, Meb Keflezighi and my friends from <a href="http://www.infiniterunning.com/">Infinite Running</a>, with whom I work with on a nutritional front, at a local hotspot near Columbus Circle. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxTMJf_gu2LaJDMDgx8rxvQiFd2hBOP0PkLPltA3Z9XeVUYEQQWjmuY8kTlP5GlZrStRkbhONxzYdLM2Y9BflzPWgzmhszAVf6M8G6K8DOnjsqpfZwrJQy8QQfflpY2CNgVIU8ABERQFC/s1600/IMG_1198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxTMJf_gu2LaJDMDgx8rxvQiFd2hBOP0PkLPltA3Z9XeVUYEQQWjmuY8kTlP5GlZrStRkbhONxzYdLM2Y9BflzPWgzmhszAVf6M8G6K8DOnjsqpfZwrJQy8QQfflpY2CNgVIU8ABERQFC/s320/IMG_1198.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner with Olympian Meb Keflezighi, Infinite runner and pro-entrant Caitlin Smith, and Infinite Running founders Hawi Keflezighi (Meb's brother) and Rob Hill</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
After dinner, it was back to my Big Apple Digs at Holiday Inn to try to get some rest and somewhat acclimated to the 3 hour time difference. I think the long day of travel caught up to me because I had no problem hitting the pillow at 8pm (San Diego time).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBNZVBi2PtdUkNSadvHG3b-RO2PGe20cuPtsxxzlPrNzyhNywKdBjY_ZVgr3lcAc6rpgstbTaRYpHz7lC6lv7_80pg8HZ8_P75assWLMoaVoeF6va35jYcMtEHPssXqCipxZtBNyy-FkC/s1600/IMG_1203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBNZVBi2PtdUkNSadvHG3b-RO2PGe20cuPtsxxzlPrNzyhNywKdBjY_ZVgr3lcAc6rpgstbTaRYpHz7lC6lv7_80pg8HZ8_P75assWLMoaVoeF6va35jYcMtEHPssXqCipxZtBNyy-FkC/s320/IMG_1203.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A perfect spot for a 4-mile pre-race shakeout run</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After a sound 10 hours of quality sleep, I was ready to take in the sights of the city which started with a beautiful 30 minute shake-out run uptown through Central Park and ended with a journey via sub/foot downtown (in NYC, you are either headed "uptown" or "downtown") where I took in some of the architectural gems of the city, enjoyed watching the diverse lineup of people roaming the streets, paid tribute at a fire station hit especially hard by the events of 9-11, and picked up my race packet.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7K5c64YxbWcChPDK4MY1dujkSqE_uq0_68fxJYx6jXolxXde1U-fLxepYZ-Oe5gBJ9RJi6OwV4I2DLsbLBvsx8_aBCQ3p4O55q_eMJNtZZDlA6D2gnepxHjklm00l59ivQu1bI0nOuju/s1600/IMG_1208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7K5c64YxbWcChPDK4MY1dujkSqE_uq0_68fxJYx6jXolxXde1U-fLxepYZ-Oe5gBJ9RJi6OwV4I2DLsbLBvsx8_aBCQ3p4O55q_eMJNtZZDlA6D2gnepxHjklm00l59ivQu1bI0nOuju/s320/IMG_1208.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never forget</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After exploring the city a bit, it was time to put the feet up and saturate my muscles with carbohydrate with the ritual pre-race pasta dinner while catching up on March Madness action. With my alma mater Florida State being knocked out last night, I am now cheering for the Wildcats (my older sis went to Kentucky for grad school when they won twice in '96 and '98...I was in town visiting during the '96 title).<br />
<div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQM-4rjcJf0fxT0GVIQAP-QWq73a0bSpb46o-j-Yu_j0LNHmJ-pYSExTEtzqn4lO5QJSMmlxym-PFTyd0L_FiFa_Z6oVZEwyH49tabCmUr8lhM30nQWEyS0OWPXKDOgXeyx6CD_rO5spvL/s1600/IMG_1191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQM-4rjcJf0fxT0GVIQAP-QWq73a0bSpb46o-j-Yu_j0LNHmJ-pYSExTEtzqn4lO5QJSMmlxym-PFTyd0L_FiFa_Z6oVZEwyH49tabCmUr8lhM30nQWEyS0OWPXKDOgXeyx6CD_rO5spvL/s320/IMG_1191.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LET'S GO KENTUCKY!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>I think most athletes can attest that there is no such thing as 'sound' sleep the night before a competition. Fortunately, the accumulation of sleep the week leading up to race day is much more important and that I have been doing just fine as I hit my peak mileage of marathon training. So, after another failed attempt to rest my race day excitement, I found myself bouncing up prior to my 2:30am (San Diego time) alarm. Seeing that the race day temperatures were hovering around freezing with sustained winds in the 10-15 mph category, I quickly made the decision to ditch my shorts and instead run in my sweet <a href="http://www.saucony.com/store/SiteController/saucony/subcategory?catId=cat10002&subCatId=cat1290404&trail=1002:cat1290404">Saucony</a> Amp Pro compression tights plus 2 layers up top, gloves, headband, and speedy Kinvara flats. In my mind, there is nothing worse than going into a long run frozen like an ice cube and at this particular race, you have to drop off your gear bag a full hour before the gun goes off which means those who dressed in typical near-naked race day fashion were going to be expending a ton of unnecessary energy shivering pre-race. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Even more important than my race day gear was my race day fueling. Low blood sugars actually can increase your risk for hypothermia as well as decrease performance. I made sure my blood sugars were charged appropriately with the easy-to-digest and low-glycemic energy bar, <a href="http://www.purefit.com/">Pure Fit</a> (www.purefit.com) and 4 quercetin chews by <a href="http://www.frs.com/">FRS</a> (quercetin is a natural anti-inflammatory found in the skins of apples and red onions that may help boost endurance performance) alongside my ritual dose of caffeine, which can help lower perceived effort and extend endurance, and a bottle of <a href="http://www.infinitnutrition.com/">Infinit Run</a> to aid pre-race hydration.</div><div><br />
</div><div>My main goal for this race was to test out the pace (6:20 per mile) I would need to run to qualify for the US Women's Olympic Marathon Trials next January in Houston. As professional runner Kara Goucher mentioned in her postrace interview, it is not always easy to run hard when you are in the midst of peak marathon mileage so I wasn't sure how my body would respond but I was going to give it my best shot. After some inspiring messages from the STACKED line up of Olympians, World Record Holders, and professional runners also racing, I, along with 10,000+ runners lined up in Central Park, was ready to conquer the 13.1 mile journey that lay ahead of me.</div><div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwD-HWcsUtokt9QSBodseYBVC6a__VNCHzZyFDZhvBTmXUnYTjni7Lc5V5NAEMeLdVYenGNameR7xdmGkiJeObDrbGJgJomZ3hzdpImQ6ZSlYthmyNRpYgNHH-QUGw3pSybqnG-LV1FB4T/s1600/76783-197-004f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwD-HWcsUtokt9QSBodseYBVC6a__VNCHzZyFDZhvBTmXUnYTjni7Lc5V5NAEMeLdVYenGNameR7xdmGkiJeObDrbGJgJomZ3hzdpImQ6ZSlYthmyNRpYgNHH-QUGw3pSybqnG-LV1FB4T/s320/76783-197-004f.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sporting my sweet Saucony gear at the NYC Half (I'm #634 just left of the Team for Kids sign)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>The first couple miles, I found myself still a little chilled after being forced to give up my warm gear an hour prior to and having to check into my assigned corral 20 minutes prior to gun start. Fortunately, the first 8 miles of this course provide plenty of hills to help get your body warmed up quickly so by the time I hit the 5k mark, I was fine with the near freezing temperatures. The wind and hills made keeping a consistent pace a little challenging in the park but once we were let off on 7th Avenue, I was able to concentrate on picking up my pace to make my final 5 miles my fastest. </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMBgdltWYaZj3_Um8snyDZbwSGjr29ScTWPUAibObR-Fl99g37MJChacVjT0qw1qmFxvWQYXpisAA1Kz2R7FZ4NPc7KkyV99GWD9uOISFO23HKSvkSyVNyhyphenhyphenH5_BtpxD39cOP44roxYLW/s1600/76783-2897-007f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMBgdltWYaZj3_Um8snyDZbwSGjr29ScTWPUAibObR-Fl99g37MJChacVjT0qw1qmFxvWQYXpisAA1Kz2R7FZ4NPc7KkyV99GWD9uOISFO23HKSvkSyVNyhyphenhyphenH5_BtpxD39cOP44roxYLW/s320/76783-2897-007f.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruising past the 10k mark<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
Times Square is by far the coolest section of the course; it's hard not to pick up your pace when you are pumped up by the lights, energy, and sounds of this 7th Avenue stretch of the race!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxg8CEBpkrfGek4KGrdhfvxSpXowlMHwhklU22FOOjtQgMHc5hOLpAB6XxhyS1gojxUxcy169YA2-6iBzX-H4zzOMS9xk5iLbafjPyYYagi8Dy8gJYLpTNIH6QLZu8T7al435yUNc6U-F/s1600/76783-1574-019f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxg8CEBpkrfGek4KGrdhfvxSpXowlMHwhklU22FOOjtQgMHc5hOLpAB6XxhyS1gojxUxcy169YA2-6iBzX-H4zzOMS9xk5iLbafjPyYYagi8Dy8gJYLpTNIH6QLZu8T7al435yUNc6U-F/s320/76783-1574-019f.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Times Square Magic (I'm under the Kodak sign)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-sAm4kSx-i2whXHTUVqmdFO8MtPDb_49PTzq0_JxjU4hkY9Xw5ATwiJfwFcy12i4jJLYIGXVVdQ542BODyzwZsFOzvyPf0sJA2qxgzXAZT5nC_GhfYOG0fImSJ0NXRel0VUeHSc8_Epu/s1600/76783-1974-015f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-sAm4kSx-i2whXHTUVqmdFO8MtPDb_49PTzq0_JxjU4hkY9Xw5ATwiJfwFcy12i4jJLYIGXVVdQ542BODyzwZsFOzvyPf0sJA2qxgzXAZT5nC_GhfYOG0fImSJ0NXRel0VUeHSc8_Epu/s320/76783-1974-015f.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speeding down 7th Avenue about 15k into the race</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The final 3 miles takes you alongside the Hudson River. It got a little windy in this section but with only a few miles left in the race, tunnel vision set in so these obstacles didn't phase me. Feeling strong, I clipped off my fastest 5k and fastest mile of the race this last little stretch before greeting the Statue of Liberty at the finishline in Battery Park. My official time: 1:22:20. This represents a 12 second PR from last year's race only I achieved it in tougher conditions this year. This placed me 306th out of 10,203 finishers, 38th out of 5,440 female finishers, and 11th out of 1,149 in my ultra competitive 30-34 age group (I was the 3rd amateur finisher in my age group, the rest started in the pro-wave with the Nike athletes Edna Kiplagat of Kenya, Kara Goucher of USA, and Madai Perez of Mexico taking the top 3 podium spots). All and all, I am very happy about my effort and now look forward to clipping off a few more weeks of intense mileage before tapering for my "A" race of the Spring, Vancouver Marathon on May 1st.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uZHGKUnA46ZoYVJdUsKg0Pn9yWHZ0HmdrBYf1kTscGKxe6ScbNAp_6NzdfTSjWBTUCI2ZVGw5nHFJc-AIkhQqjq1S02c0TAh5YK6tH30CcDVM-vnJBv3ml6pcf8ZTHuPt4GwEjGp5tos/s1600/76783-2087-016f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uZHGKUnA46ZoYVJdUsKg0Pn9yWHZ0HmdrBYf1kTscGKxe6ScbNAp_6NzdfTSjWBTUCI2ZVGw5nHFJc-AIkhQqjq1S02c0TAh5YK6tH30CcDVM-vnJBv3ml6pcf8ZTHuPt4GwEjGp5tos/s320/76783-2087-016f.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clipping off my fastest mile en route to the finish</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rj6KCaxpgO-b9pCPWjlOcCWxyIG-BrevYb29_xTRsl0MRSkpcNoR4ol5sz-F1yFQ0mbhnwTQbCXOvjmQybxbI-Upk9yHj24W_3ufjpiPjuiPs9Z2JtwVzU5iFBVs6Y1QFcZLvg6xFA8x/s1600/76783-881-024f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rj6KCaxpgO-b9pCPWjlOcCWxyIG-BrevYb29_xTRsl0MRSkpcNoR4ol5sz-F1yFQ0mbhnwTQbCXOvjmQybxbI-Upk9yHj24W_3ufjpiPjuiPs9Z2JtwVzU5iFBVs6Y1QFcZLvg6xFA8x/s320/76783-881-024f.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tunnel Vision</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwhS0OpkpfJsumdS4Xv4pBLMJnAwWwg3Ho_gUER0oTqnUi1cYWIxGm09p_mUO342qhibdxjhZYdJzxx1ywbxitGeXrnrBDmRkqfLyLJheAyTNhIUXhg0nm1060gcuVJ-skHgimL8lFSve/s1600/76783-135-017f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwhS0OpkpfJsumdS4Xv4pBLMJnAwWwg3Ho_gUER0oTqnUi1cYWIxGm09p_mUO342qhibdxjhZYdJzxx1ywbxitGeXrnrBDmRkqfLyLJheAyTNhIUXhg0nm1060gcuVJ-skHgimL8lFSve/s320/76783-135-017f.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy enough, I ran with the pictured guy finishing with me last year too! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1P1W1cejiYK1b_TazuKGb3I0ACCVCVez7EPL7sdvxTpmtpjwP11V9k9GGaHFwg_w2AnUFMB0dmqLZPEVuSktdOPtrE05N1T7lz6smhNl_fbQXaPsORwLQJN-jYhQSwWLOPCiBTjlaS5Af/s1600/76783-664-033f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1P1W1cejiYK1b_TazuKGb3I0ACCVCVez7EPL7sdvxTpmtpjwP11V9k9GGaHFwg_w2AnUFMB0dmqLZPEVuSktdOPtrE05N1T7lz6smhNl_fbQXaPsORwLQJN-jYhQSwWLOPCiBTjlaS5Af/s320/76783-664-033f.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All smiles after posting a new 13.1 PR of 1:22:20</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5flG2epSlVerNwSKnIAHSNFiDEkZDSEFjQfTqI8bX3GKSx_BKNuLtpEgClic-bpYP1tYsH5UvykjAlZAAHWuMkGddStExDSxgt_lOAhA_uZvGOVL1yot_Cr8z2XfaUTo5K504z2bF1ih8/s1600/IMG_1215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5flG2epSlVerNwSKnIAHSNFiDEkZDSEFjQfTqI8bX3GKSx_BKNuLtpEgClic-bpYP1tYsH5UvykjAlZAAHWuMkGddStExDSxgt_lOAhA_uZvGOVL1yot_Cr8z2XfaUTo5K504z2bF1ih8/s320/IMG_1215.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Successful weekend for Infinite Running</td></tr>
</tbody></table>A huge thanks goes out to...<br />
<br />
Rob & Hawi of <a href="http://www.infiniterunning.com/">Infinite Running</a> for treating me to dinner on Friday and Saturday night and making my race experience that much more enjoyable. Caitlin, it was nice meeting you and I hope we can hook up when I'm in town for Bay to Breakers in May =)<br />
<br />
Paul Greer, my long-time coach whose continued guidance and friendship has helped me to continue to excel as an runner, as well as my teammates with <a href="http://www.sdtc.com/">San Diego Track Club</a>, who always put a smile on my face and provide an amazing amount of support as I look to achieve some pretty lofty goals.<br />
<br />
Robb Dorf of <a href="http://www.purefit.com/">Pure Fit </a>for the awesome flow of a bar I consider the best on the market.<br />
<br />
My partners at <a href="http://www.infinitnutrition.com/">Infinit Nutrition</a> for sharing my vision for custom nutrition for race day.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001534134139&ref=ts">Robb Latimer </a>(sports massage), <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1338351348&sk=info">Ryan Schuler</a> (body mechanics) and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=755191527">Nicholas Linn</a> (MAT) for providing different types of massage therapy and helping stay injury free and rocking my intense training.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.saucony.com/">Saucony</a> for providing me with some sweet gear to keep me running at peak and looking good doing so =) I LOVE my Kinvaras for racing and the Amp Pro compression line worked wonders for this race!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.armonescoreconnection.com/">Armone's Core Connection</a> (pilates) and <a href="http://www.rehabunited.com/">Rehab United</a> (functional strength training) for helping improve my strength, flexibility, and overall athletic performance. <br />
<br />
All my family and friends who continue to provide awesome support while I dedicate a ton a time to training and racing. You guys ROCK! Love ya all!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Fuel Factor Nutrition Coachinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637582866021825471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940277109063130616.post-45911788495829037832011-03-14T16:57:00.000-07:002011-03-14T16:57:57.582-07:00Fuel Factor is a proud partner of Infinite RunningFuel Factor is proud to announce a partnership with Infinite Running, an online coaching business designed to provide you with all the training and nutritional tools to help you reach your true performance potential. Check us out at www.infiniterunning.com .<br />
<br />
Healthy trails,<br />
<br />
Kim Mueller, MS, RD, CSSD<br />
CEO, Fuel Factor Nutrition Coaching<br />
Part-Owner/Staff Nutritionist, Infinit Nutrition<br />
www.Fuel-Factor.com, www.infinitnutrition.comFuel Factor Nutrition Coachinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637582866021825471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940277109063130616.post-42625553890565466512011-02-01T16:02:00.000-08:002011-02-01T16:02:49.802-08:00Caffeine "performance-focused" recommendationsJust had an interesting question regarding optimal caffeine dosing during training and racing. My response was as follows:<br />
<br />
<br />
It is not advisable to consume more than 500 mg of caffeine over a 24 hour period of time. According to one study conducted a few years ago, the half-life of caffeine in healthy adults is approximately 6 hours which indicates if you consume 200 mg of caffeine pre-race (approximately 2 cups of coffee at 7am), you'd still have 100 mg caffeine in you at around 1pm. Thus, I recommend taking small increments of caffeine throughout race day rather than taking one or two large doses. For example, you may consume a cup of coffee (~100 mg) pre-race, 25-50 mg/hour during a 5 hour training or race effort, and another 50 mg to aid recovery post-race. This would put you at ~300-400 mg of caffeine for the day. If you are not a caffeine-user, make sure you aren't overly sensitive to it (heart rate increases, anxiety, shakes, etc.) before using it on race day. <br />
<div><br />
</div>Fuel Factor Nutrition Coachinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637582866021825471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940277109063130616.post-90924793921635956582011-02-01T08:54:00.000-08:002011-02-01T08:54:24.335-08:00Marathon Nutrition Mistakes to AvoidStomach woes, fatiguing muscles, muscle cramps, dizziness; these are all common symptoms that too many athletes have experienced at some point during their sporting careers. The following article posted on Tri Edge gives you some tips on how to prevent a nutrition-driven disaster when preparing for your next event, whether it be a marathon or another adventure. Happy trails =)<br />
<div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">(</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://www.triedge.net/triedge-articles/nutrition/item/63-marathon-nutrition-mistakes-to-avoid-by-kimberly-mueller" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1296578328_0" style="color: #366388;">http://www.triedge.net/triedge-articles/nutrition/item/63-marathon-nutrition-mistakes-to-avoid-by-kimberly-mueller</span></a></span></div>Fuel Factor Nutrition Coachinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637582866021825471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940277109063130616.post-65839269114846812122011-01-31T18:53:00.000-08:002011-02-01T07:51:06.371-08:00INFINIT CUSTOM SPORTS DRINKS 50% OFF SALE ON TUE 2/1!!!50% off ALL INFINIT products starting at NOON EST and ending at 2pm EST. US ONLY.<br />
<br />
Contact me for help customizing a sports drink catered towards your unique health and performance goals today and save 50% tomorrow on your purchase!<br />
<br />
Healthy regards,<br />
<br />
Kim Mueller, MS, RD, CSSD<br />
Owner, Fuel Factor Nutrition Coaching<br />
Part-Owner/Staff Nutritionist, Infinit Custom Nutrition Blends<br />
Cell: 858-337-3612 E-Mail: kim@Fuel-Factor.com<br />
Websites: www.Fuel-Factor.com, www.infinitnutrition.comFuel Factor Nutrition Coachinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05637582866021825471noreply@blogger.com0